There is a phone booth situated on a semi-desolate playa, in the middle of nowhere, really, because the lights visible against the mountains on the horizon are far away in another state of mind. There is no phone inside the booth and the location obliterates cell phone coverage. Still, it stands as a beacon for late-night communicators. Knowledge of the phone booth's existence is passed from one communicator to another not by word-of-mouth, but from state of mind to mind. Only the most sensitive among us will ever be privy to its playa power but for those who are nothing in life will ever be as welcome or astonishing as what happens there.
The Operator always knows who arrives at the booth and who the caller is longing to talk with once again. Neon collages, depicting the caller's memories of the loved one who has passed, appear on the glass walls as the connection is made and their lifetimes together are displayed in changing holograms for the two late-night communicators. For some, it is a dizzying circus of the senses. Others have found complete redemption there. The loneliest have been known to return night after night until madness sets in. The most grateful visitors find fulfillment. A few have passed beyond peace and disappeared onto the dark playa, needing nothing more from this life.
This is how to get there:
Written for The Mag (top image by Eric Mahoney) with a heart full of sorrow, as the health of our dear Old English Sheepdog, Abby, failed so suddenly this week and she left us on Feb. 23. What I wouldn't give to be able to communicate with her, to squeeze her one more time....
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Oh, Lydia. What a soul-full story you have written. And it all makes such sense, with Abby's so sudden departure.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and Bear hug in your time of mourning.
(((Huge hugs))) I'm so sorry sweet friend. I know how dear that connection and love is between a human and her animal counterpart. Abby was so much more...they all are.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is a metaphysical phone booth between loved ones. The line running from heart to heart. You're in my prayers on the smoke and my thoughts sweet friend. (Hugs)Indigo
oh this is so touching... an so well-written too, so condensed and with a deep sense of mystery...at one point i felt like caught in the Twilight Zone, one could have made an excellent episode based on this little text...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your Abby ...
ReplyDeleteThe prompt, the image and your words work together beautifully.
Fun, intriguing, distinctive-voice read. Enjoyed this muchly.
ReplyDeleteRob-bear~ Thank you for your kindness and understanding. Deeply appreciated.
ReplyDeleteIndigo~ Ah, what comfort your comment brought to me. Thank you for such a sweet and strong connection.
Roxana~ I so appreciated your comments about this one, for many reasons.
Helen~ Thank you for your kind comments. While missing Abby tonight I read a news story about an OES who was stolen from, and then returned to, the animal shelter in Bend. It was not dated. Good thing, as I'd probably drive over the mountains to see the dog...
Steve Isaak~ I believe you are the first person to tell me that I wrote something from a "distinctive-voice." It pleased me and I will remember the moment.
Lydia- this is a spledidly eerie and sad....we all have times where we would like to be magically transported via this phone booth.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to ear about your beloved Abby...our animals always leave too soon no matter how old they are....
So sorry to hear about your doggie.
ReplyDeletei was thinking of some horror movies the phone booth and no humans around and traveler lost in the middle of nowhere... wonderful as always by the one and only Lydia.. and sad to hear about your Abby :(
ReplyDeleteKathe W~ Thank you for stopping by. I feel guilty that I have not been to your blog (or anyone's) for two weeks. I feel out of touch and will try to jump back in this week.
ReplyDeleteYogaforCynics~ Thanks. I knew you would feel my hurt because you love dogs, and boy would you have loved Abby.
Muhammad Israr~ How kind your comment is and it means so much to me. Note in my comment to Kathe W that I am so far behind in visiting, and will come along soon. Am sending best wishes in the meantime.