Short Story Snail Utopia dream.
By Andrea Boromeo 2009

After reading about Cuban Land Snails, I wondered why they were different from other snails and asked myself 'how did they acquire their select rings of shell colour'?.

I dreamt I was a Cuban land snail. My surroundings were misty, so I focused on myself and my new form.

I had no sense of time, but was aware of my unconscious sensation.
I did not feel wet and slimey but warm and cosy. I had no arms or legs, or a mouth, and I was unable to make a sound, this did not matter, as I had no one to communicate with.

Feeling hungry, I was curious about what I could eat. Gradually the mist lifted and I found myself surrounded by a mass of utopian organza, an extraordinary species of plant. Slowly I slid towards it.

Eventually the colours became more distinguishable with their unique characteristics.

At the foot of these organic forms I was overcome with a strong urge to devour what looked like the most appetizing meal, even though their sheer size seemed to engulf me, I continued to consume until I was tired, then I curled up into my shell and went to sleep.

When I woke I was still dreaming, so I quickly glanced around to see if I had a colour ring on my shell, and I did, I had created my first colour ring, and with that I set off to match more colours from the organic forms to make another ring.

This is the type of 'utopia' that colours my visionary world and my narrative is my own exploration of life. All of my paintings and drawings and writings are part of this utopia. I am only attempting describe it.

Painted snail shell vase.