Saturday, February 18, 2012

Stretching the Limits of Perception

I don't write science fiction, and I don't read much of it either. But I do know something about imagining possibilities, taking risks, and trying out wildly different points of view. I don't feel like elaborating on that right now. Instead, I'll post here a couple of challenging 55-word stories, and let them suffice.





Seeing Eye to Eye
The microbiologist peers into her microscope, focusing on swirling molecules. She’s sucked into a galaxy of suns, each surrounded by spinning planets. On one planet is a mountaintop, where an astronomer trains his telescope on the heavens, gazing out beyond his solar system, beyond the universe, until he’s consumed by the eyes of God.


Forwarding Order Expired
At ten I received a letter from the man I would become. “I’ve learned to correspond across the years,” it said. “Enjoy your youth.”
At forty, I received the boy’s reply: “I can’t wait to be your age.”
I wrote the next letter forward thirty years. “I hope you’re well.”
My letter was returned unopened.


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13 comments:

  1. Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. MeredithFebruary 18, 2012 at 6:00 PM

    Quite amazing, John.

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  2. Theresa VarelaFebruary 18, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    That second one pulled quite a punch.

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  3. Timothy HallinanFebruary 18, 2012 at 10:05 PM

    These are phenomenal, John. As concentrated as poetry. Great work.

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  4. Patricia Gligor's Writers ForumFebruary 19, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    John,
    Very nice! The second one is especially thought provoking. What words would I have used to write letters to myself at different points in my life?

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  5. john M. DanielFebruary 19, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    Thanks so much, Marilyn and Theresa. Glad you enjoyed these miniatures.

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  6. john M. DanielFebruary 19, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    And thanks to you two, too, Tim and Pat. I'm pleased that you approve.

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  7. Beth AndersonFebruary 19, 2012 at 9:48 AM

    I love these shorts, John. I'm going to try some myself, although I did on my Christmas web page and have done that before at Christmas. But I never set a number, like 55 words, which has to make it a lot harder. I'll try it one of these days, but I'll use a different number out of professional courtesy. '-) You're a genius, I'm fairly convinced of that. Not even fairly, actually. I AM convinced.

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  8. john M. DanielFebruary 19, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    Gee, Beth, nobody ever accused me of being a genius before. I look forward to reading some of your short short shorts one day.

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  9. M.M. GornellFebruary 19, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Yep, loved them all. Keep 'em coming, John!

    Madeline

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  10. john M. DanielFebruary 20, 2012 at 6:27 AM

    Thank you, Madeline!

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  11. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    Great stories! Love the endings. As I say, less is more. Sometimes a shorter piece says more than a long, rambling tome.
    Sally Carpenter

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  12. john M. DanielFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    Thank you, Sally. I agree with you that less is often more.

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  13. Eileen ObserFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    Amazing, your 55-worders, John! Less is more is so often true. I´m in Puerto Vallarta and will be mentioning your 55-worders in my workshops on Saturday.

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