Taking a break from talking about kindness to share a short, humorous essay I wrote that was just published in Bright Flash Literary Review. Bright Flash publishes a wide range of flash fiction and nonfiction and I was thrilled to have this quirky bit of flash accepted. This was a lot of fun to write and I hope it’s as much fun to read.

Floaters

by Donna Cameron

“Do those floaters bother you much?” my ophthalmologist asks, during my routine visit.

Floaters?

Dr. Peck’s annual interrogation, “Which looks clearer, this one . . . or this one?” always conjures the test anxiety I experienced in college. But this is new. I search my mind for some context that will allow me to respond intelligently.

“Huh?”

“Floaters,” he repeats. “Those spots and squiggles drifting through your field of vision. As we age, they become more prevalent and more noticeable.” He is more aware of what’s going on in my head than I am. And he’s placing me in his own age bracket. I’ve always considered my eye doctor ancient, but perhaps we are contemporaries. I am both indignant and anxious.

“I’ve never really noticed them,” I admit, aware that henceforth I will be seeing armies of phantom beasties in full attack mode. (more…)

Read the rest here: https://brightflash1000.com/2023/08/03/floaters/