A midwife all my working life, I am haunted by how much our mothers do not know about changelings.
The first I encountered was at the start of my career. I was about to leave a blue-eyed new-born in the nursery while her mother slept, when I noticed a shimmer, like wings, out of the corner of my eye. Freezing on the threshold, I turned – and blinked. The child no longer wore the pink gown I’d dressed her in, but was swaddled in a filigree of cobwebs.
I darted across the room, unwrapped the baby, and slipped another pink gown over her head. The hairs on my arms stood on end when dark brown eyes twinkled up at me.
Every night I dream of the babies that were stolen, and wonder how their mothers didn’t notice that changelings had been left in their place.
Kim M. Russell, 9th September 2024
Image by Jernej Graj on Unsplash
It’s Monday and time for Prosery at the dVerse Poets Pub, with our host, Melissa, and we are writing very short pieces of prose or flash fiction that tell a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end, in under 144 words, in any genre, and including given lines without changing word order or adding any words. We may add or change punctuation.
Melissa has selected a line from a poem by Tina Chang, an American poet, educator, and editor, and daughter of Taiwanese parents. The poem is called ‘Love’ and the line is: “I am haunted by how much our mothers do not know.”
writing in north norfolk 
I love how you describe this from the midwife’s perspective, and that process on how the change happened is haunting.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Björn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😱this gave me the heebie jeebies, Kim! I think about that sometimes, I’m sure it happens that children do get switched at birth, in the nurseries. The added otherworldliness of how she is taken, that only added to the scary feeling.
Side note: have you seen the movie Changeling with Angelina Jolie? I know you like a bit of horror.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I love that film.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My goodness…that was eerie…really! I was taken in for some seconds! Good writing there, must say.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Ain! I love an eerie story, reading and writing.
LikeLike
This made me shiver, Kim. So well crafted. The common sense tone of the midwife describing the scene made it scarier.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Merril.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An excellent tale, Kim. I’ve known people that were convinced they or someone they knew was switched at birth. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Kerfe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! This is so good, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Cris!
LikeLike
This is wonderful, Kim. Very fae
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, VJ.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome
LikeLike
Wow, what a haunting piece. Bravo!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you very much, Nolcha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice. 👏🏾👏🏾
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Stew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was beautifully written, Kim. Gave me the willies, but that’s the sign of a good write! While not in the same vein, there was a switching of babies in “Midnight’s Children”.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every new mother’s nightmare … I cannot imagine. You composed this prosery beautifully …
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Helen.
LikeLike
This made me feel uncomfortable! But what a great write, Kim! 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Carol! Job done!
LikeLike
An eerie piece! Can’t imagine how the mothers would feel, when their children are switched..
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, Veera.
LikeLiked by 1 person
agree with others … scary! gave me the shivers. nice writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ren!
LikeLiked by 1 person