Poetry & Prose by Carol J Forrester
Some nights I dream I’m back at school,
stomach crawling up my throat
while I wait
for the hall to open its doors,
and swallow me whole.
I return to being terrified,
to being her.
I remember it too well,
she’s not gone far.
I love the quadrille night over at the DVerse Poets Pub. Tonight’s prompt for your 44 word poem is ‘dream’. Take it however you like so long as the word ‘dream’ or a derivative of it appears in the poem.
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019. She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can. Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears. She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works. View all posts by Carol J Forrester
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I can feel her fear, Carol. I was new to schools often from the ages of 9 to 14, and you have captured this feeling so well.
I think there are days when we all remember those days… I still fear that I might go back to school those days…
I too dream of being back in school with my “stomach crawling up my throat”…and being totally unprepared for anything.
Schooldays! Not my favourite either … you nail your fear here very well and the imagery of the hall door swallowing you whole is quite powerful
I remember that feeling of my stomach crawling up my throat – it wasn’t the school itself but the people in it.
It’s amazing how school has traumatized most of us. There are no nightmares worse than the school ones, the missed exams, oversleeping, missing the bus etc etc. Something ought to be done about it 🙂
Strangely, I don’t seem to share everyone’s unhappy school memories. You write of yours in lively description!
You really capture the fear of the younger you so well in the breathing spaces within the poem xxx
I have dreams of being in school as well, usually toward the end of the semester and I can’t remember what classes I signed up for or where they are held.
Thankfully I never dream of school for it would be a nightmare.
I was a different person then and I hated school, so understand your words.
Anna :o]
I fear those days too Carol ~ Good one ~
I fear those dreams too. I was a terrible student. I probably deserved all the punishments I got. Hope you graduate soon 😂
The fear is real, but dwell not on the past and try to look at your accomplishments. The reader can feel the anxiety of being swallowed whole.
I had days like that too — not in school, but later. These were honest, raw words. That’s what quells the fear.
Oh, I’ve had days like this too. But I guess that is part of growing.
It would certainly seem so looking at the comments.
she learnt to write so well though
Thank you Laura.
I relate so much to this.
I’m glad. It’s always good to hear I’m not the only one.
Oh my… you’re wording so well here a fear we have — if not about all our school days, at least some of them. School can be traumatic for sure.
It can be indeed. Sixth form was okay for me but the bulk of secondary school wasn’t great.
It’s interesting how our minds keep rehashing past fears in our dreams. Nicely written, Carol.