The labyrinth of life. There’s no ball of string for it, is there? And it seems to be full of Minotaurs. At some point in early childhood, you become aware that one day you are going to die, and you might well ask: ‘What the hell does it all mean then?’
I remember wondering if death is like waking up from a dream you can no longer remember: after you die, your life becomes the dream part. What are we then? A dreamer of a dreamer of a dreamer? Or a dream within a dream within a dream? Start to think about it too hard, and you may well become lost. At which point stop. Take stock. Remember the wise words once spoken by the poet:
“Crucial to finding the way is this: there is no beginning or end.”
Written for dVerse Prosery
Today Merril is hosting Prosery, where we write short prose (144 words maximum) which must incorporate a given line of poetry. Today’s line is “Crucial to finding the way is this: there is no beginning or end.” from ‘A Map to the Next World‘ by Joy Harjo. Recommended reading!
Join us at the bar from 3pm EST for more Prosery…
Experiments in Fiction 
Oh I love how you put the questions of Poe and weaved it together with the quote. The endless journey of life and death.
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Thanks Björn. We don’t remember where we came from and we don’t know where we are going to!
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Right.
I wonder, how beautifully you incorporated the line. 😃✍️👍
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Thank you Lokesh 🙏
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Nicely done, Ingrid. I suppose everyone wonders about those things. My younger child actually had panic attacks when she was about eight, and I finally figured out that it was because after my dad died, she was wondering about life and death and mortality.
I like how you worked in the line at the end.
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I think Benji might have had the same for a while, but then we talked about it and I think that helped a lot. It can be quite upsetting for some children.
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And adults, too.
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This is so well done Ingrid. The age old question- what happens when we die? I think we all have our own unique version in our heads that brings us comfort.
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I think so too.
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This is absolutely exquisite in its yearning for answers, for the meaning of life and death. I especially admire; “I remember wondering if death is like waking up from a dream you can no longer remember: after you die, your life becomes the dream part.” Sometimes, I wonder the same thing. 💝💝
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Thank you Sanaa! I suppose it’s normal to wonder about these things 😊 💕
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For a while lost in a never-ending dream, the prescribed line slid in nicely!
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Thank you Beverly. ‘Life is but a dream’ I guess!
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Hah! I used the word labyrinth as well! :) Kindred souls are we today. I like this reflection….That initial question to draw us in…there is not ball of string is there? Good pondering age-old conundrums. If like is but a dream….
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Great minds think alike so they say 😊
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The Labyrinth of Life is a great metaphor and I like the daoist reflection you did on where we are on spectrum of it.
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I don’t know much about daoism, but from the little I know, I would like to know more!
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If you google Chuang Tzu’s Butterfly Dream you’ll see the story I’m thinking of :)
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Thank you 🙂
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Great! I really love this!
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Thank you 🙏
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Ingrid,
I love your seamless use of the line, and the meditation on life reminded me of the movie “Inception”: the mind is an awe-ful place to be caught in! :>)
Pax,
Dora
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I have seen that movie and it is quite mind-blowing! Thank you Dora 🙏
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Love it! I read yours before I wrote mine and this inspired me, “A dreamer of a dreamer of a dreamer? Or a dream within a dream within a dream?” 👏👏
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Thank you Tricia! I am glad my words inspired you 😊
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a-maze-ingly awesome.
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Hahaha, a-maze-ing comment, thank you Ron.
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A good story of questions we all have over and over again… So many unanswered questions. As Merril said perhaps we need to start in the middle!
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I suppose it’s where we are, like it or not!
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I think I’ve had similar thoughts, that we will not remember anything at all, though I hope it’s not true.Love the contemplation here and the way you pay homage to the poet at the end.
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I don’t think it will matter so much. I don’t remember before I was born, but I like to think it was a good place 😊
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I love this piece and its reflective tone. Nicely done!
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Thank you Jay!
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This is an AWESOME idea, Ingrid. I love it – and it’s such a good idea for a sci-fi piece, I think…
<3
David
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I could be tempted to write sci-fi…
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couldn’t you just see it? an alternate universe where people wake up and realize that what they had thought were entire lifetimes were really just dreams…
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Yes, it would be a good movie, a bit like ‘Total Recall’
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such a classic that is!
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Love the idea of a string although I could see mine becoming knotted as I do love adventuring. Great flash.
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You can definitely get lost thinking too hard about the meaning of life. (K)
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And get a headache!
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Reflective and interesting approach to the prompt, Ingrid. ✨ It can become too much to think about at times. I love your use of a labyrinth, both for the title and in your piece. I never miss a chance to walk through one! 🥰
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Thank you Michele – me neither 🥰
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Must confess, you may have posed the $64 Million Dollar Question …. Thoroughly enjoyed this Prosery!!!!
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Thank you Helen 😊
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Wonderful piece Ingrid.
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Thank you Gabriela 🥰
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My pleasure 🥰❤️🌹
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Oh yes, I’ve often wondered if we will remember anything from this life…..but I hope so. I like the way you include the poet in the end.
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At which point stop.
Take stock. Remember the wise words
An outstanding close, Ingrid! Love it! Brilliant way of bringing back the dreamer into a reality mode and start all over again!
Hank
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Thanks Hank – I suppose it’s what we have to work with!
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lovely visual of the labrith and the circling of life Ingrid .. lots of reflection here.
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Thanks Cindy 😘❤️
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💖❤️
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I like the idea of life as a labyrinth, with minotaurs! And yes, totally agree, if you think about it too much we could be lost in a maze. Enjoyed this tremendously. I see in the photo there is a little huddle of people in the centre of the maze and imagine them discussing it all …
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I used to have a recurring nightmare about labyrinths and minotaurs! Thankfully I haven’t had it for many years…
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I love the rhythm of a labyrinth, a wonderful image for how your couch this, and for me a letting go – at which point to stop.
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Thank you Paul.
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