I am walking up the stairs to an apartment (it feels like it's my place but something totally different from what I've moved into). The place is arranged nicely and is large and sunny. I settle into an easy chair and before long, start to nod off. My feet are propped up on the couch which is full of cushions, and I'm feeling very comfortable.
Suddenly, I feel something move and squeak right in that pile of cushions. I jerk my feet back but not before something furry brushes against them. "A mouse!", I think, as I stand hastily up. The cushions move again, and now I see a small black furry head peaking out, and recognize it as a little squirrel. It moves quite slowly across the couch, trying to get away from me, and I immediately see that it is sick, very sick. It gets to the couch arm, and tries to climb, but can't. I want to help it get out, but know I can't simply pick it up, that it can still bite me in alarm. The door is very close by, and I go and open it, all the time making encouraging noises for it to leave. With a valiant effort it finally half-falls to the floor and struggles outside. Even though I know it will die soon, I also know it is best that it does so in its own natural environment. In some corner of memory, I remember this, and that it's best not to interfere with such endings.
I walk back into the apartment and along the deep red carpet I see something else moving - it's a golden-beige millipede! From head to tail it's about 6 inches long and with all the tufts of spiky fur all along the body. About half way, the upper part of the body is upright, so when it scuttles along, there's an odd look of a dignified gentleman hurrying along.
Dignified or not, I will not tolerate this, but just as I am about to stomp it, I become aware that the entire carpet is infested with these critters, some small, but none as large as the first one I saw. This fills me with fury, and I begin to stomp on them. Even realizing that I am wearing only sandals doesn't stop me. Screaming as I do so, I squash every single one of these 'pedes until all I am left with is gooey puddles of mess all over the beautiful carpet.
Finally satisfied that they're all dead, I sink into the couch, shaking from the aftermath of this massacre.
Great new blog! I am always excited to connect with other dreamers.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that both the squirrel and the millipedes are trying to get your attention in this dream. Interesting that you are tolerant (in an almost encouraging way) of the struggle of the sick squirrel but you are quite angry (even to the point of killing and screaming) with the millipedes. You use the word "valiant" to describe the effort of the sick squirrel. It seems you are applauding the struggle of sickness. Also interesting that you you use "dignified" to describe the millipede that you end up killing in anger.
Just some thoughts, observations.
Hello, Kathy - great to meet you! Thank you for taking the time to comment here.
ReplyDeleteWhile this is a brand new blog, I have been recording my dreams for almost two decades now. It's strange that even with all that dreaming, I find it difficult to interpret my dreams. Rather, having so many of them to work from, I look at "patterns" and how they all develop over time.
Having said that, this particular dream is just beyond me to grasp. Actually, reading your comments reminded me that when I first saw the millipedes, I "knew" they were harmless and would soon be out of my way, and yet my reaction to them was totally irrational.
It's funny how after this dream, I found something I wrote many, many years ago, way back in 1983. I've entitled it "Small Encounters of the Very Close Kind"
ReplyDeleteOn my way to work, I chanced upon a sight.
There at my feet a slender rod, a twig,
Stood up and called to me.
Jaded human that I am, I was about to pass
This prince of caterpillars as
Insignificant and trifling.
"Ah, not so," he cried.
I paused and looked more closely.
He truly was a handsome creature,
All chocolate brown with coffee stripes.
So proud he stood (two inches high in all)
With head and shoulders straight and tall.
His arms (I counted ten, but there were more)
He waved as he continued his address:
"Now, gentle madam, if I may be so bold,
Please mind your step, for though I am indeed
of noble blood, alas, it spills with ease."
Oh, I hastened to apologize. Then with
Fair words to both our kinds we parted.
I stopped again for one last look:
He was already gone back to his verdant world.
I turned to mine, knowing that
Before the summer draws to end
I'll see my friend again,
Flitting high above my head.