The earth's oldest creature crawled upon the shore. It had been a thousand years since she had breathed air, her blow hole felt the atrophy, she struggled to draw in the thick musky soup. Below the surface of the sea, laid a fresh new batch of eggs. It was still too soon to return to her first love. Dry land. As she lingered on the bank, her gills contracted, intinctively searching for the water she had become accustomed to.
The mullung would need to return to the sea soon, but she could not resist testing out her legs, she began to move, at first it was just a crawl, her breath was really labored now. As she pushed against the increased gravity, she became light-headed, there was danger of blacking out. I am being foolish and sentimental, she thought to herself, why risk death just to take a few steps. She lifted her body up. The first shaky step was followed by another and another. She was walking again. She lifted her head and turned skyward. Stars. My beautiful lucky stars, twinkling, shining, blinking on and off it seemed. They are saying hello, she thought. That brought laughter. The noise startled her, she had forgotten how different sound carried in air as opposed to water.
It was time to return. Intense pain had begun. She was ready to return to dry land, but it was not ready for her. Besides, her babies would soon hatch, they would need her there, to hear her stories, the promise of a bright new strange world.
The mullung would need to return to the sea soon, but she could not resist testing out her legs, she began to move, at first it was just a crawl, her breath was really labored now. As she pushed against the increased gravity, she became light-headed, there was danger of blacking out. I am being foolish and sentimental, she thought to herself, why risk death just to take a few steps. She lifted her body up. The first shaky step was followed by another and another. She was walking again. She lifted her head and turned skyward. Stars. My beautiful lucky stars, twinkling, shining, blinking on and off it seemed. They are saying hello, she thought. That brought laughter. The noise startled her, she had forgotten how different sound carried in air as opposed to water.
It was time to return. Intense pain had begun. She was ready to return to dry land, but it was not ready for her. Besides, her babies would soon hatch, they would need her there, to hear her stories, the promise of a bright new strange world.
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Kentucky
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Re: Mullung
Fri, January 16, 2004 - 5:00 AM
Wonderful, Glen.
I enjoyed this...is it *chapter one* of something? -
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Re: Mullung
Fri, January 16, 2004 - 8:45 AMMullung is a result of a typo. I was going for mulling. I will mull it over for awhile. Here's to hoping the earth's oldest creature has more to say. -
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Re: Mullung
Fri, January 16, 2004 - 11:15 AM....yes, those "happy mistakes"
great story! -
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Re: Mullung.......con't.
Sun, January 18, 2004 - 6:55 PMSoul Thoughts While Waiting To Be Born
"God this is taking forever."
"Patience little one."
"Where have you been?"
"I have been here all along."
"I think I fell asleep."
"It is very rare for souls to sleep while waiting to be born. You might actually enjoy your life this time around. Did you dream?"
"Yes, I believe I did."
"Tell me."
"I was flying. I won't be able to fly in the world, will I?"
"All things are possible."
"Really?"
"No, not really. First of all your body won't have wings, then, well there is your body. But mainly, gravity will not let you fly."
"Why is there no gravity in dreams?"
"In your dreams, you are the creator, flying dreams are very common."
"But not you."
"No, not me. In my dreams I did not fly, I dreamed of gravity, time, space and eternity."
"I imagine creating a world is not easy."
"Oh, it is easy enough, creating a world that works, that takes time. One that lasts, that takes space. One that holds together, that takes gravity."
"What is eternity for?"
"That is for you. When you are ready to join me."
"I think I am ready now."
"Then go. Try to remember me." -
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Re: Mullung.......con't.
Sun, January 18, 2004 - 8:15 PMimaginative.... or... you remembered, didn't you? -
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Re: Mullung.......con't.
Sun, January 18, 2004 - 8:20 PM
Lovely,Glen...
Very nicely written.
It even somehow might make a beautiful, simple little children's story...for grown ups. -
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Re: Mullung.......con't.
Sun, January 18, 2004 - 8:20 PM...I mean in book form.
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Re: Mullung.......con't.
Sat, January 24, 2004 - 10:02 PMI imagine what I remember and remember what I imagine. -
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Re: Mullung.......con't.
Sat, January 24, 2004 - 10:54 PMSoul thoughts after dying
"Cool. I am not afraid of the dark anymore."
"Hello."
"Who are you?"
"Your guide."
"I am dead. Right?"
"That's one way to put it. You seem fairly calm. Your passing has gone well."
"It's not going to be dark forever is it?"
"Of all the senses, sight is the hardest to recover. You are no longer attached to your ears, yet you hear."
"Actually, I think I am imagining this. You can't be real."
"How real is this?"
"OUCH! You pinched me!"
"Ah, the sense of touch, quite difficult to recreate. You are doing very well. Are you ready for the next step?"
"What is the next step?"
"It is time to leave this place. It is not good to linger too long. You might become reattached."
"Reattached? You're kidding right?"
"Death for some is not so easy to accept. How about you? Still think I am just a figment of your imagination?"
"If only I could see you. If only I could see my dead body."
"Ah, seeing is believing isn't it. The best way is to try to take a few steps. Don't worry about running into things. The darkness will fade. Come outside, stars are the best things to try and see again."
"Where's the white light at the end of the tunnel? Isn't there supposed to be a white light?"
"Don't confuse near-death with the real thing. Of course there is a white light. But without eyes how can you see?"
"The same way I hear without ears."
"So, I am real now?"
"Why not. I don't think my imagination is this good."
"Ha ha, very good. Keep walking, you are almost outside. The moon is bright tonight, the stars are all shining. Just for you." -
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Re: Mullung.......con't.
Sun, January 25, 2004 - 4:03 AM
Comforting...
Glen's version of the cemetery discussion among the dead in *Our Town*.
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