THAT DAY

In Science 1980, I find an article on sensory activity in dreams. Two quotes startle me: “Intuitively, I consider it unlikely nature would invent an important self-communication system, then make it so inaccessible it requires elaborate interpretation.” And: “The REM state is mainly visual with some audio and kinetic sensation; not much touch, taste or smell.”

But my dreams address my concerns rather directly, and are full of touch--often tastes and smells too. Are my dreams so atypical?

THAT NIGHT

I dream I’m in bed dreaming most of the early night. Dull! Uncomfortable too. But at last I wake up--at least I'm pretty sure the dream's over. I head for the Stanford campus where I work, thinking: “This can’t be REM state now; notice these vivid physical sensations, and all that noise--not just sights, as they said REM is. And my long muscles are quite free to move.” They have to be--I'm biking as usual. Parking on campus is hard.

I especially note the engine-roar of a shuttle bus passing me, and a sudden stink of exhaust. I think "That researcher wrote 'Dreams rarely have a sense of smell.' Proves this can't be REM!"

And wake. Again.

THAT MORNING

I'm puzzled why the dream's examples of sound & smell roared and reeked like that--Stanford shuttles aren't loud or smoky. I mull over that riddle as I bike to work. As I reach the Stanford Oval, a long red firetruck bursts out of a side street, guns its engine with a ROAR, and farts a black cloud of diesel smoke right in my face.

Try... six.

World Dream Bank homepage - Art gallery - New stuff - Introductory sampler, best dreams, best art - On dreamwork - Books
Indexes: Subject - Author - Date - Names - Places - Art media/styles
Titles: A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - IJ - KL - M - NO - PQ - R - Sa-Sk - Sl-Sz - T - UV - WXYZ
Email: wdreamb@yahoo.com - Catalog of art, books, CDs - Behind the Curtain: FAQs, bio, site map - Kindred sites