|
|
Flash Fiction - second episode in the THERAPY SESSION series
-----------------------------
Some time ago
He realized that
He’d lost something
That he never knew he had.
And when it had departed from a
Place in him that he never knew existed,
He was taken completely unawares and ended
Up not knowing what to do with the void
That resulted from not having it there.
So he moiled in his spirit.
And after talking to friends - who
Convinced him that they knew about
These things - he became even more agitated,
And finally considered asking the doctor for some
Drugs to deal with his devolving emotional state.
The Doctor was empathetic.
And he agreed, (with a glint in his eyes) and
Then suggested that if he used some of the
Newer drugs on the market and, if he wasn’t too
Concerned with the probability of anomalous
Side-effects, he could save a lot of money.
“But Doctor, isn’t it dangerous?”
“Don’t worry,” the Doctor answered reassuringly,
“If there are ever any problems with these drugs, we
Can take care of it with another drug, so you’re safe.”
Trusting the Doctor he agreed.
Of course being on meds
Caused a rash of uncertainties in him,
And soon an onset of physical problems had
Overtaken him. Because of this he stopped exercising,
And he stopped creating because he couldn’t focus and,
As a result, he began eating poorly and he started
Drinking more than he ever had.
Then he started gaining weight and,
Because of this, his depression was inflamed.
After several weeks,
Constipated, and having become
Inconsolable from the regimen, and also
Plagued by vivid cerebrations from not having
Whatever it was that had supposedly once been
There, he came to the conclusion that this mysterious
Thing that he’d somehow lost had, over time, become an
Integral part of who he’d been as a man and without it
He was doomed to a lifetime of looking for it.
This prospect depressed him even more,
And in a rage he punched the wall and broke
His hand and then, being infuriated at his stupidity,
He kicked his couch and broke his big toe.
Continually disgruntled now, lethargic,
Overweight, unable to focus on the simplest
Things, unable to work, and prone to wild outbursts,
The Doctor suggested psychoanalysis so that his team of
Experts might figure out what was wrong with him.
In DESPERATION he agreed.
“Oh Doctor,” he implored, “if only I could find again
What it was that I lost, I would be a very happy man.”
“Is it possible to describe what you lost?” The Doctor asked pityingly.
“If I could I would I swear,” he shot back. “But I can’t
Because I never knew it was there until it was gone.”
“Never knew what was there?” The Doctor looked puzzled.
“The thing that I lost,” he throbbed with visible rage.
“If you never knew this thing was there until it was gone, how do
You know that when you thought you lost it that you really had?”
“Because it wasn’t there anymore Doctor,” he groaned, “I knew it
Was gone because it wasn’t there anymore, and I got despondent.”
“Ok … I see,” the Doctors forehead furrowed in thoughtfulness.
“Let’s suppose then that I can rediscover what you lost without
You understanding how I had, and that I could return it to the
Void in you without you having to do anything, would you
Promise to me then that you would never again lose what you
Didn’t know you had, and that you would always protect it no
Matter if you knew that it was there or not?”
“Of course I would Doctor,” the man gushed joyfully.
“Ok then,” the Doctor held out his hand, “here it is.”
When he looked, the man groaned and threw his hands in the air.
“But there’s nothing there Doctor!”
“Yes there is, you just can’t see it because it’s invisible. It’s always
Been invisible. That’s why you didn’t know it was inside you. And that’s
Why you didn’t know it was gone until you convinced yourself that it had.”
“Oh my … so what should I do then?” he asked wide-eyed.
“Nothing,” the Doctor said with a sly grin. “Let me put it back where
It used to be, that way you don’t have to bother looking for it anymore.”
richard lloyd cederberg
6/2009
|
| Web
Site: A Monumental Journey Novels
|
|
|
|
Reader Reviews for
"the doctor suggested psychoanalysis ... 2"
|
|
|
Want to review or comment on this
short story?
Click here to login!
Need a FREE Membership?
Click here to Join!
|
| Reviewed by Richard Arrington |
11/29/2009 |
|
| A journey in search of what is not needed. We as humans need to focus on our priorities in life, not what we perceive to be the priorities. Once we define our true priorities first, then we can regain our focus. |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Jo Pelletier |
10/1/2009 |
|
This was to me a great write. At least I got out a good laugh;
it also reminds me how we get serious about the wrong things. We have to get to the funny side of it to see how ridiculous it is. |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Larry Lounsbury |
8/12/2009 |
|
| Quite a bit of inventive fun here-isn't this the way those drug companies work-hilarious! |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Sheila Roy |
6/25/2009 |
|
A funny one, Richard. This story shows the times we live in, too. People have always searched for answers, but now most think the answers come with a prescription. Great reading! Love and Hugs,
Sheila
P.S. Enjoying MJ II thus far:) |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Ronald Hull |
6/23/2009 |
|
Makes me glad I never lost my mind. By the way, have you seen it...?
Ron |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Georg Mateos |
6/19/2009 |
|
Schroedinger couldn't have put it better.
Richard, you have a lion's heart, weird, but a magnificent one.
Georg
|
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Dawn Anderson |
6/19/2009 |
|
| You have an incredible mind, Richard. This is excellent! |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Gene Williamson |
6/18/2009 |
|
This is special, Richard, very special.
The little man who wasn't there
wasn't there again today.
-gene. |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Karen Vanderlaan |
6/18/2009 |
|
| a wonderful write-i love the journey your words describe as one searches for his happiness |
|
|
|
|
| Reviewed by Marcia Miller-Twiford |
6/18/2009 |
|
| How ingenious can one poet be? This ingenious. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
Print
Save