I remember it like it was yesterday – the clock stopped at quarter til the hour.
I was on an outbound train going where I couldn’t remember
That was the crazy part – no one remembered what they were supposed to do next.
Looking back I’m not sure if we stopped when time stopped or if a frozen state ensued from not knowing what to do when time stood still.
Some people stood as if in denial.
I think they were willing time to do something different.
Others, I am sure, were afraid to move as if the clock would crack and the “sameness” of life with it.
My life course changed profoundly that night.
I was bound for University. You know settle into a routine, surrounded by fellow students and books, go the requisite number of parties and games.
Each student predictably going the same general direction that was pre-ordained for us by our professors.
For me, at the moment when time stood still, something clicked like the second hand of life rebelled.
I grabbed up my things and started walking. There were a few others who independently decided to do the same thing.
We walked into the night and haven’t stopped. A few people with the same mindset have joined us along the way.
It’s curious, even after years, we notice in every town we come to there is a group of people staring at a clock with the large hand on the 9.
Today’s Daily Post (writing) prompt: For a moment today, time stands still — but you can tweak one thing while it’s stopped. What do you do?
And the photo prompt: Stillness
I guess my tweak was to break the rules when the time stopped and write a short sci-fi interpretation of the prompt.
Here you will find excellent responses to today’s prompt:
penned in moon dust 