Perception – Friday Fictioneers

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Time for another Friday Fictioneers entry. The challenge is to write 100 words based on a weekly photo prompt chosen by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Check out her blog for more information by clicking here. Thank you to all who take the time to read, like or comment.

2016 05 13

PHOTO PROMPT © CEAYR

Perception

“Nothing wrong with the dark,” he would say, “It’s only your perception that scares you. Ain’t nothing gonna hurt you in the dark that won’t also hurt you in broad daylight.”

He was right of course: light, dark, good, bad, right, wrong. It all comes down to perception. Yet somehow I’m still afraid. Artificial light only makes the darkness fight harder. It claws at me, groping for its likeness in the pit of my soul.

How then, am I to be perceived?

I gaze out across the electric haze of the city. A million other people afraid of the dark.

19 responses to “Perception – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    The philosophers say we experience the world through our perceptions. So I guess how we perceive and are perceived does make a real difference

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      I agree! Thanks for reading Neil.

      Like

  2. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Thom,

    A well written, thought provoking piece. At least that’s how I perceive it. 😉

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Rochelle. I’m glad you perceived it that way!

      Like

  3. wmqcolby Avatar

    Seems that way to me, too. Nice work,Thom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you

      Like

  4. Josslyn Rae Turner Avatar
    Josslyn Rae Turner

    Nicely written! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Josslyn

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Josslyn Rae Turner Avatar
        Josslyn Rae Turner

        You’re welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  5. maria Avatar

    But from somebody else’s point of view, darkness is a sweet cradle of relief and release, too. So true… it all boils down to how we perceive things. Nicely done, Thom. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Exactly! Thanks for reading Maria. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Like

  6. draliman Avatar

    I loved the line “groping for its likeness in the pit of my soul”. Pretty chilling thought, the darkness within us all. Great piece!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      And at the same time one man’s good can be another man’s evil. It has always been a subject that has fascinated me. Thanks for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. spicedmullings Avatar

    Hmmm. Absolutely right!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks!

      Like

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you!

      Like

  8. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    I don’t think his father understood exactly which darkness he was afraid of. I love this, many-layered and thought-provoking.

    Like

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

      Liked by 1 person

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