Emotional Paradox
150 Words10 total reviews
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for sharing this flash fiction contest entry with us. I don't write flash fiction. I can't seem to say anything in under 80,000 words. I enjoyed reading. I want to wish you luck with the contest.
My Dad had always been distant, (because of 'My' dad has a lower case 'd')
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2024
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Thank you for sharing this flash fiction contest entry with us. I don't write flash fiction. I can't seem to say anything in under 80,000 words. I enjoyed reading. I want to wish you luck with the contest.
My Dad had always been distant, (because of 'My' dad has a lower case 'd')
Comment Written 25-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2024
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Thank you I always have struggled with that.
Comment from Jesse James Doty
So, Mark, I'm a little confused. Is this alternative you in a different universe real as to how you feel? Or is this not how you feel but an unusual perspective given a flash fictionalized view of reality?
I love the artwork, by the way. Seshadri was a good friend of mine when he was daily posting on Fanstory instead of simply doing artwork.
A great first-person dialogue and well worth reading.
Jesse
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2024
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So, Mark, I'm a little confused. Is this alternative you in a different universe real as to how you feel? Or is this not how you feel but an unusual perspective given a flash fictionalized view of reality?
I love the artwork, by the way. Seshadri was a good friend of mine when he was daily posting on Fanstory instead of simply doing artwork.
A great first-person dialogue and well worth reading.
Jesse
Comment Written 25-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2024
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It is fictionalised version, a thought experiment, I wonder what we would have said to each other if we ever spoke man to man so to speak.
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Good question, Mark.
A great thought experiment.
I like the way you ponder things.
Comment from Douglas Goff
Interesting. Thought this was actually about you and felt bad.
My brother and I used to hide under our beds as well. Mostly because our step-dad was trying to kill us. Ahhhh...good times.
Thanks for the read!
D
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2024
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Interesting. Thought this was actually about you and felt bad.
My brother and I used to hide under our beds as well. Mostly because our step-dad was trying to kill us. Ahhhh...good times.
Thanks for the read!
D
Comment Written 25-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 25-Apr-2024
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Oh god, thank you.
Comment from GoWiSt
"I decided not to have children; I would not inflict life on another." Now that is an interesting paradoxical attitude/feeling to have--life as an inflicting of torture/suffering.
"Neither would I," he agreed, "if I had my time again." Apple didn't fall far from the tree; like father, like son.
Well narrated rich paradox tale. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2024
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"I decided not to have children; I would not inflict life on another." Now that is an interesting paradoxical attitude/feeling to have--life as an inflicting of torture/suffering.
"Neither would I," he agreed, "if I had my time again." Apple didn't fall far from the tree; like father, like son.
Well narrated rich paradox tale. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 24-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 24-Apr-2024
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Thank you
Comment from tempeste
When I read the line : I never felt closer , I automatically said but then you wouldn't have existed,
There was a period I wished I was not born , my first years in boarding school. I was 6 and a half , the youngest.
I was unhappy and saw my parents only 2 months a year but in the end I adapted and became a loner.
When I saw James Dean in my teens I wanted to die at 23 like him .. when I turned 23 I changed my mind.
I wish there was besides male and female a neutral human being . I have always loved and envied androgynous looking people, not male or female looking, but I wanted to go a step further : be sexless. I never had a mother's instinct.
So did you have kids in the end or did you stay faithful to your decision not to have kids and inflict life on them?
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2024
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When I read the line : I never felt closer , I automatically said but then you wouldn't have existed,
There was a period I wished I was not born , my first years in boarding school. I was 6 and a half , the youngest.
I was unhappy and saw my parents only 2 months a year but in the end I adapted and became a loner.
When I saw James Dean in my teens I wanted to die at 23 like him .. when I turned 23 I changed my mind.
I wish there was besides male and female a neutral human being . I have always loved and envied androgynous looking people, not male or female looking, but I wanted to go a step further : be sexless. I never had a mother's instinct.
So did you have kids in the end or did you stay faithful to your decision not to have kids and inflict life on them?
Comment Written 22-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2024
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That was fiction. But no kids. Settled down too late in life.
So ..
A free spirit that decided to settle down cause the prospect of being alone as one get?s older is not comforting ???
Well it was a good thing , I can?t imagine any one wanting to bring a child into this world of chaos and madness.
A world where murdering enfants , children is justified
where a million are being starved to death and America who prides itself for standing for peace, freedom, and equality, vetoed three UN calls for a ceasefire.
I could go on but I think I have made my point.
Comment from jessizero
I absolutely love that your story is about an alternate you. You did a great job telling the story in the first person point of view. You really engaged the reader. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2024
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I absolutely love that your story is about an alternate you. You did a great job telling the story in the first person point of view. You really engaged the reader. Thank you for sharing, and best wishes to you.
Comment Written 22-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2024
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Thank you.
Comment from Michael Ludwinder
I thought your story is beautifully crafted. You capture emotion and introspection with honesty and depth. I especially liked the line "I never felt closer" that follows your conversation with Dad. Great job!
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2024
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I thought your story is beautifully crafted. You capture emotion and introspection with honesty and depth. I especially liked the line "I never felt closer" that follows your conversation with Dad. Great job!
Comment Written 22-Apr-2024
reply by the author on 22-Apr-2024
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Thank, it is fiction though so it is another me and his Dad. Complex stuff writing fiction as though it is truth.
Comment from Julie Helms
I don't think it's unusual to have These sort of existential thoughts. For me, every time I get close to the edge of something high off the ground, it always runs through my head, why don't I just jump? Or what if my body jumps without my permission? I never do, obviously. But it's a weird way our brain works.
You did a great job summing up a fairly complex feeling in a short number of words. And the paradox was a great twist.
Thanks for sharing! Julie.
reply by the author on 27-Mar-2024
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I don't think it's unusual to have These sort of existential thoughts. For me, every time I get close to the edge of something high off the ground, it always runs through my head, why don't I just jump? Or what if my body jumps without my permission? I never do, obviously. But it's a weird way our brain works.
You did a great job summing up a fairly complex feeling in a short number of words. And the paradox was a great twist.
Thanks for sharing! Julie.
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 27-Mar-2024
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Thank you.
Comment from Jodi Ann Anderson
Wow! This feels so real, as if it really happened. You can feel the emotions. This is a super entry for the flash fiction contest. I wish you all the best with this Mark!
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Wow! This feels so real, as if it really happened. You can feel the emotions. This is a super entry for the flash fiction contest. I wish you all the best with this Mark!
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you, it was my truth at 17, I am now 51 and childless. lol
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
What a fascinating piece and yet how poignant! A paradox indeed as those words from your father, though initially welcome because they concurred with your own thoughts, on deeper reflection also meant that you wouldn't have existed. I'm not sure how true to life this is but it's a very interesting, philosophical perspective. Small edit: I would not inflict li(f)e on another. I think this is an excellent and original post for this contest entry and I wish you luck! Well done, Mark! Debbie
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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What a fascinating piece and yet how poignant! A paradox indeed as those words from your father, though initially welcome because they concurred with your own thoughts, on deeper reflection also meant that you wouldn't have existed. I'm not sure how true to life this is but it's a very interesting, philosophical perspective. Small edit: I would not inflict li(f)e on another. I think this is an excellent and original post for this contest entry and I wish you luck! Well done, Mark! Debbie
Comment Written 26-Mar-2024
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2024
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Thank you, it was my truth at 17, I am now 51, married and childless. lol. I read it through 4 times and still missed that. I seem to only read what I meant to write.
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It's very good and well condensed into this flash prose. And what makes it special and philosophical it's not dripping in emotion but very measured and matter-of-fact.
