SPEAKING OF NIGHTMARES

John Fuseli - The Nightmare

Early this morning, I had not one, but two nightmares.  The first is all but forgotten, but it involves a head-and-shoulders picture of a young woman with reddish-brown hair, wearing a green dress or blouse.  In some way, the picture is vitally important in my nightmare and causes me great anxiety, but why I don't remember.  I woke up, went to the bathroom, and went back to bed.  The question as to whether I dream in color is definitively answered.

I slept again, as I was worn out, only to begin another nightmare.  The second nightmare is one that recurs.  Grandpère hurries me to leave to catch a plane to somewhere or other, and I realize that I've forgotten to pack several vital items, which I cannot do without.  Anxiety, sturm und drang, GP saying, "We have to leave now!", and me saying, "No, we can't!  I have more to pack!"  The items included, medications, vitamins, and a jacket, among other things.  There I am scrambling ineffectively to gather up what I need to stow in the suitcases, with GP saying all the while , "We have to go!  We have to go!" and me saying, "Wait!  Wait!"

Because I am chronically late, and GP usually hurries me along whenever we go anywhere together, my second nightmare is somewhat of a replay of real life, except that the scene plays out with me intensely fearful and anxious. Then, as usual, I woke up with the entire scenario unresolved and me exhausted already, and having to face the day ahead.  What kind of rest is that?

Some of the experts on dreams say that we dream in metaphors, and the key is to discover the significance of the metaphors.  Others, Jungian types, say all the people in our dreams are aspects of ourselves.  Whatever.  Two nightmares in one morning is too much.

Image from Wikipedia.