The Chiaroscuro is a blog that dances with the spectres of memory—a place where the past is never truly gone but lingers like an elusive shadow, slipping between moments of our everyday lives. Here, we’re fascinated by those fleeting glimmers of memory, the eerie remnants of what once was but somehow never left. Each story, reflection, and image we feature weaves nostalgia together with the uncanny, exploring how the echoes of yesterday reach out to touch the present, haunting us in unexpected ways. This season, as festive lights twinkle and winter settles in, we’re gathering short, evocative pieces on the theme Shadows under the mistletoe.
The holidays are often bathed in warmth and comfort, yet they can stir up something more complex, even unsettling: memories that shimmer just out of reach, a familiar face glimpsed in a passing shadow, or an old song that carries a pang of unexplainable longing. We’re inviting you to share your stories, reflections, and images on these nostalgic—and sometimes eerie—feelings that seem to surface in December’s glow. Perhaps there’s a particular scent—pine needles, gingerbread, cloves—that brings a rush of memories, both comforting and ghostly, as if summoning loved ones long gone. Or maybe there’s an old family tradition that feels timeless, unchanged even as faces come and go, a ritual you follow as if in a dream. Or the flicker of sadness you feel amid the holiday cheer, a wistfulness that settles in as you watch the snowfall, sparking memories you can’t quite place.
We’re looking for moments like these: a story about a candle that reminds you of long winter evenings spent with someone who’s no longer here, or a photo of an old ornament, chipped but cherished, that brings the past rushing back. Whether it’s a short, haunting poem, a reflective piece on a bittersweet holiday memory, or an image of something that captures the strange comfort of old rituals, we’d love to hear from you!
Guidelines
- Theme: Shadows under the mistletoe
- Length: Short reflections, poems, or creative snapshots (100–300 words), along with visual contributions like photos or art.
- Open to: Everyone, from seasoned writers to first-time storytellers.
- Deadline: 31 December 2024
Share your quiet moments and haunted memories with us, and let’s capture the strange, shimmering beauty of this time of year. Learn more about the blog in the About section, and browse the labels or archive on the left to see what we post. Please send your submissions or any questions to chiaroscuroreflections@gmail.com. We look forward to weaving together a collection of stories that shine light on the shadows of the season.
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