June 21st. Summer Solstice. The first day of Summer. The longest day of sunlight. And this evening will bring Midsummer’s Night.
Lisa Snellings-Clark and Bob Podrasky have issued a challenge to do short stories that are 100 words long. You cannot repeat any word and it has to be a story, not a poem or part of a story. The title does not count as part of the 100 words and you can reuse words for the title but they encourage you not to. The rules are all here. The plan is for Bob to pick out those he likes and for Lisa to do illustrations in various mediums for each story. The challenge is to just do it. The winning isn’t in being picked, its in just making the attempt. So in honor of this magical day I decided to get off my creative bottom and take on the challenge.
Here is my effort:
Shakespeare’s Lament
June twenty-first. Summer Solstice. Twilight lingers.
The path appears and I walk into lush forests. “Come… follow…”, say twinkling, dancing lights. Pixies, sprites, out for their one evening of mischief. After seemingly endless travel, we halt.
Sound fades. Darkness falls. Time stops.
Then it begins, almost imperceptibly, as distant luminescence. His fairy procession, moving ever so slowly by. They are on parade. Oberon, Puck, Peaseblossom, Mustardseed… all Pan’s children alight under glorious moonlight.
Heads turn. Voices cease. Breath catches.
Titania. Queen. Beauty most radiant. She promises kisses, my lips acquiesce. Dawn awakens me, disappointed.
Twas but a Midsummer Night’s Dream.
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I haven’t written anything in a long, long time so this was a fun exercise and I’m proud of myself for the attempt. (If I’ve repeated words, let me know. I’ve reread it so many times my eyes are crossed! Contractions, like ‘Twas’ for ‘it was’ are allowed)
Summer Solstice and particularly Midsummer Night is supposed to be a magical time. This was traditionally the time of First Harvest, when herbs planted on the Vernal Equinox (March 21st, the first of Spring) were harvested for food and medicine. The prominence of June weddings ties in to the traditions of this time of year with its themes of life, renewal, and growth. It is said that dreams that are dreamt on Midsummer’s Night will most certainly come to pass…Shakespeare acknowledged this idea in his play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
If you have not read it, go to your local bookstore or library and pick it up. It is wonderful. If moving pictures are preferable to the printed word, here are brief reviews of my 3 favorite interpretations of A Midsummer Night’s Dream:
This 1968 Royal Shakespeare Company version of the play is a real treat. It stars Ian Holm, Judi Dench, and youngsters Diana Rigg (Emma Peel) and Helen Mirren. Helen Mirren and Diana Rigg are quite cute in their 60’s attire and the whole production is quite quirky and bizarre. Its great to see so many famous actors and actresses when they were much younger.
This 1996 DVD is a highly faithful adaptation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s mid 90’s interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I saw this company perform this on Broadway and it remains one of the most fantastic live performances that I’ve seen. The colors of the sets and costumes were bright and vivid. The sets were sparsely populated and the designer used umbrellas and bare, glowing light bulbs hanging down over the stage to create this fairy enviroment. It was stunning and is recreated perfectly on the DVD. It was fun to see that cast again when they released this on DVD.
Last, but not least, is Get Over It. This is a “play within a play” version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Like the play itself, the movie is about a love quadrangle and the characters work out their romantic issues through the high school’s musical version of Shakespeare’s play, directed by a zany Martin Short. If you like the other teen movies based on classic literature (Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You) then you will enjoy this. This is a fun movie with some great music and may be the easiest introduction to Shakespeare if you’re not familiar with his work.
To close, if you’re in the Kansas City area starting tonight through July 17th, the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is performing my favorite Shakespeare play, Much Ado About Nothing. Its free. Its in the park. Its a fun way to experience Shakespeare.
Remember as you lay down to sleep this magical night to dream, and dream well….
I love your story, Carl. You are a wonderful writer. It takes great talent to write a story (that makes sense) in 100 words. You have written one that makes sense and is fun to read!
Fun, little story!
Does Harvest Moon have anything to do with this time of year? That Neil Young song is one of my favorites.
I don’t know. It may be or it may be about the time of Second Harvest, around Sept. 21st.
I read that we get the term ‘honeymoon’ from the honey mead that was made during this time of year.
Yeah can I just rent the movie? Reading seems so archaic. Like picking fruit off the trees yourselves.
Just kidding. I have seen the movie with Colista Flockhart (whatever happened to her?) and K. Kline. It was pretty good. But it’s still no Moulin Rouge.
Silly boy! 🙂
yay – i knew all along you could write – i swear. lovely story – did you realize that not only is it mid-smmer night but a full moon as well?
Yes…I only realized that because I work in the mental health field and things have been extra crazy these last few days!
And thanks!
thank you also Mary and Julie.
We can’t get our patients to show or show on time. I want to cancel them so bad but as you can see I am a little underworked today. I’ve blogged more today than I ever have. I go home in 15 minutes and it seems like an hour. Superman is on TBS. All in all a good day.
That is a marvellous piece of work, Carl!
Hello Carl,
Adamant pointed me in your direction because of a small post in which I mentioned A Midsummer’s Night Dream. In fact I think his direction was “you HAVE to go read Carl’s piece.” I try to always follow the sage advice of Adamant and this time I am glad I did. Your story is simply glorious. Truly it is!
I agree with you that the 1968 Royal Shakespeare version is indeed a treat.
What a wonderful post, thank you, and of course I will thank Adamant. Now I must peek around at a bit more of your site….
Thanks Adamant and thanks Michele. I really appreciate your comments and the fact that you read it at all! And any praise from Adamant is high praise indeed as his (your) writing is fantastic.
If you want to go to a site where the words flow like honey and you want to laugh your booty off then go to his site What’s Wrong With… It is also in my blog links. Visit often…Tom, I especially think you would love this site.
I look forward to checking out your site, Michele!
What a delightful story you wrote. and I always love surprise endings. Admirable and successful attempt.
Thank you Pat, glad you enjoyed it. It was alot of fun to write.
Wonderful story Carl, you have inspired me so much I think I will now take the last half hour of this tremendously long day and sit on my little bridge in the back yard, gaze at the beautiful moon and hope I see some of those pesky pixies playing in the clover. Thanks for the story it made for a good ending to this day.
I spent a little time around the witching hour looking at the stars as well, Jamie. Thanks.
Well, I can’t remember any dreams from last night!
I’m hoping that the part of my dream I remember does not come true…I was sitting on the porcelain throne in the office of the President/CEO at my work, doing my business while he talked with me.
I know for a fact that he doesn’t have a free standing toilet in the middle of his office so I think I’m okay, but I’m going to avoid him today just in case!
hmmm. sorry i missed this challenge yesterday.
Hmmmm, maybe you need to keep personal stuff private, Carl!! Don’t over-expose yourself. Or maybe you think what someone in authority has to say is equivalent to doo-doo! Or maybe you just don’t want to give up your leisure vacation to go back to work! Maybe going back to work is just poopy! Ok, I’ll shut up.
I definitely agree that alot of the stuff coming from authority is doo-doo! 🙂
Jenn See, go to the links on Lisa and Bob’s sites for better detailed info. I think the deadline for consideration for the book they are putting together is still a ways off so you have time for many submissions!
must…investigate…
Nice story, Carl. That was an interesting project. I had to check for myself that you didn’t repeat any words! Great job.
Julie, I see you’re a fellow Neil Young fan!
Thanks…I checked it over and over and over until I was seeing things and figured I better stop…or maybe it was the fairies, I don’t know.
Great story, Carl. I’ll lend you that Midsummer’s Night DVD ( Kline/Flockhart ) we talked about next week, too.
I may stop by tomorrow night after I get off work…around 10:30ish…and drop off Much Ado About Nothing and Death Jr. #2.
Finally sat down to read your web site. I am fulfilling my Motherly duties now. The story is great ,Carl. When do you publish your first book? You have so many gifts and talents, I’m glad you take time to enjoy life and aren’t afraid to try something new. Dad and I are very proud of you and your sweet family!
Thank you Mom! (I gave my mom a hard time for not doing her “motherly duties” and reading my story and telling me what a great son I am)….despite my forcing her hand I know they are sincere. And mother’s aren’t biased at all! 😉