I awoke to a gospel song. It seemed to be familiar to me.
As if it were a song I had sung in school -- so very long ago.
And then recited in church.
I really wouldn't know, because I have no memory of whatever may have happened before now.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want
This was repeated over and over again, like a broken record from an old 45.
Sometimes it would be at normal speed.
Other times at warp speed.
Other times, sl-o-o-w-ed down, as if the Big Man had a low, gravelly voice.
I was not in a room.
I was not out doors.
I was not in any kind of enclosure.
I hovered above the galactosphere.
Galactosphere?
Speeding o'er the earth, with only my cape as my aeronautic guide.
Where was I and why was I here?
I was not in a command tower.
I was guided by an invisible force that seemed to have me beeline in on a particular region of the earth.
Going in for a landing.
I heard someone say.
This is all way beyond my ken.
Landing gear in place.
Who said that?
I was invisible -- even my cape was invisible, which I felt and which I knew guided me.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six –
Who is saying this?
An invisible force pushed me into an arrow - the shape of a paper airplane – and zoomed me straight for a spot on Google Earth.
For that is how it looked to me, up in this stratosphere.
Five, four
That song started again.
For although it was a psalm -- it was a song -- a rock song.
Yikes! It has suddenly changed to a rock song. A song I loved and lived.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of the valley of death, the lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. For those who come to San Francisco, Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair, If you come to San Francisco, Summertime will be a love-in there.
Three, two
Hold onto your hats ladies and gentlemen. We’re in for a rocky ride.
Who said that?
God, this afterlife is sure strange.
Almost psychedelic.
Did I just say that?
Blast down!
Zoomed straight for death valley California where Monterery Pop was still playing.
Where all the dead rock stars come to play in 134 record-degree heat.
They don’t care.
They’re dead.
But then again,
So am I.
Hit it, Sam!
A one, a two, a three:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want and if you come to San Francisco, Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair...
I was in a death valley in death valley. With flowers in my hair.
And remember, Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair.
*

Death Valley Sand Dunes, Jon Sullivan Public Domain.

Creative Commons: Chuck Abbe
Wildflowers in Death Valley after a wet season.

Fair Use for inclusion in a discussion of the movie, poster or event.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MontereyPopPoster.jpg
Sadly, Scott McKenzie passed by here recently, on August 12, 2012. I did not know that he had died when this song just suddenly started playing in my head. But oh so fitting. And who woulda thunk? Flowers in Death Valley.
So I'm sure he's singing this very loudly.
Most important:
Put this challenge statement at the beginning or end of your submission so readers will know what you’re supposed to do and won’t think you’re crazy.
Challenge:
Write in any form you desire, a love story (or anything else). The only real rule is that is must involve a death valley.
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Comments: 51
An amazing train of subconcious thought waves rolling in, Kathryn.
Speaking of wave length , today the words Ten thousand Years kept playing in my head. Just that line, don't know the song. So a poem is blossoming...................
Thanks for sharing with Gather’s Luminous Writers & Artists where it's now featured.
When I post photo essays, it usually means my words are all burned out...
Which is often, considering I edit legal, tech and such... and try to work on my MS.
Featured in the Triple Name Club.
1.Being right there in the scene.
2. Getting in the POV character's head.
Rilly?
Telling: Red Riding Hood was getting her basket of goodies for her grandmother.
BORING.
Showing:
Hair rose on the back of Red’s neck. She whipped around.
’’ Aya!’’ Red yelled, as she cocked her AK 47, aiming it straight for the wolf.
“Hey, Wolf. “ Red stared down the wolf. “Enjoy your last second on earth.”
Sweat beaded on the wolf’s brow.
Ha.
“You messin’ with the wrong woman, Wolfie.”
Red’s lips went dry as she aimed for the whites of his eyes.
Not gonna let you go easy, Wolfie.”
Red stopped.
What was that?
Something in the bushes.
Red stared down the wolf, who matched her, stare for stare, his beady eyes on her.
Red cocked her gun.
“One.”
The wolf showed no fear.
“Two.”
Bile rose in her stomach.
He’s laughing at me.
Steele yourself, Red.
A rope tightened around her ankles, like a noose, slowly pulling her . . .
A shot rang out.
When I start talking - or, rather when I start talking too much to my family, they point to the computer and say, please - just go start typing.
So crowded in my head. So many people. Dancing, talking... with flowers..
Smell the applause :-)
Now Featured in The Surreal Circus
Must be telling me something.
The piece is a well wrought and cleverly connects familiar memes and shoots like that arrow into the imagination.
it was just a product of my mind, written in a few minutes and then edited, a closed-eyes write.
Idealism flowed like red wine....no wonder
You self propelled yourself back in time
To once again, feel the Power of Coming Together
Where Love, Peace and Brotherhood reigned.
BAM!
reading this!! Great write.
It is all about technique. certain techniques =- this one = more effective than others.
Thanks for sharing and submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
I'll come and listen to the song another time.
Have a relaxing weekend.