It’s been three days.

Three days of the same.

The same circumstances, the same people, the same words.

Yesterday — today? Was it yesterday if yesterday was the same as today? — yesterday I begged them to listen. They all laughed nervously. “Nice try, Bill.”

I wouldn’t sleep this time. I’d wait for midnight — see in the new day myself.

My eyes felt full of sand, a burning ache, but the ticking of the clock had me pacing the room.

23:59. My breathing hitched.

I crouched before the clock, left eye twitching.

Four, three, two…

I blinked and sat upright in bed.

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Margarida Brei
Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
9 months ago

Emily, I have so many questions to ask. What did Bill want them to listen to? Why did he try to stay up for midnight? Was he just dreaming? Very intriguing!

Staci Harrington
Staci Harrington(@staci-harrington)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
9 months ago

It actually sounds a lot like the opening of Fight Club when he’s describing the same mundane existence every day, his insomnia makes him feel like he’s in a copy of a copy of a copy with no distinct beginning or end to his days.

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
9 months ago

Great story, Emily. I can almost hear those groundhogs scratching about in their burrows. Poor Bill, and such an apt name! ?

Carrie OLeary
Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
9 months ago

At least he didn’t get Murrayed in that one!

Marianna Pieterse
Marianna Pieterse(@marianna-pieterse)
9 months ago

Emily, this was very intriguing. I would like to know what brought this on that he experienced the same day over and over again. Good question if it was yesterday if yesterday was the same as today ☺️

Linda Rock
Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
9 months ago

Thank goodness I read Carrie’s comment before I dived in, Emily! I was way off track! Never seen the movie but know of it! Well done on providing such intrigue!

Preston Randall
Preston Randall(@preston-randall)
9 months ago

This really made me laugh! If only the contest had been 200 words… a quick cut and paste and done.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
9 months ago

I love this line, ” Was it yesterday if yesterday was the same as today?” But poor me, I don’t have any idea about the movie that is the reference. But all I can say is, it is a great story, Emily. Well done. 

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
9 months ago

You’re always welcome, Emily. Let me check that movie soon.

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
9 months ago

Line from a poem I’m familiar with, and this lovely story just sums it up…
…All my yesterdays
Have become my tomorrows.

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
9 months ago

It’s one I wrote. It’s in my never-to-be-published anthology.

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
9 months ago

Thank you, Emily. You should read the rest of it, and the remainder of the anthology and you’ll see why it is ‘never-to-be-published! ?  ? 

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
9 months ago

OK, so I have an audience: THE CROSSROADS The road is long, the road is straight. What have I travelled blindly past. Who might I have helped or saved? Who might have helped to save me? No more than a babe when I started This long unending walk of life. I am older now, much older but Has my journey made me wise? Monday should have taught me What I will not… Read more »

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Allan Neil
9 months ago

Wow!  Allow me to congratulate you, Allan, for a very wonderful and heartfelt poem.

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
Reply to  Lotchie Carmelo
9 months ago

Thank you, Lotchie. It was a very low point in my life. I’m so happy that you liked it.

Lotchie Carmelo
Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
Reply to  Allan Neil
9 months ago

You’re always welcome, Allan.

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
Reply to  Emily O'Leary
9 months ago

Waves & troughs, Emily. They follow each other as sure as night and day. Thank you for reading that. I’ve always worried about anyone reading my poems, so I’m happy to get these reactions from you and Lotchie.

Staci Harrington
Staci Harrington(@staci-harrington)
Reply to  Allan Neil
9 months ago

Wow you’ve just described how I feel most of the time! Beautiful, honest work there Allan 🙂

Allan Neil
Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
Reply to  Staci Harrington
9 months ago

Thank you Staci. I sometimes call it ‘The life of a yo-yo!’

Christer Norrlof
Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
9 months ago

It didn’t take long to recognize the theme and the names from Groundhog Day, Emily. Actually, I read about that movie only yesterday on a site called Wordsmith. Here’s what I read: Years ago Danny Rubin, writer of the movie Groundhog Day, joined the audience on Zoom in an event. He was asked whether he had ever contemplated a sequel to the movie. After a pause, he said sure, the question had come… Read more »

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