Friday again already? I guess that means a drabble is in order, based on the prompt via Madison Woods no less. I don’t know that I’d call this a story, but it’s certainly 100 words. I struggled with this one. Every idea that came to mind was complete garbage, so you’re stuck with what you see here. I’m lucky I even got that much.
As always: comments, criticism, and/or half drunken rants are mandatory. Well maybe not mandatory, but I certain enjoy them, so they’re highly encouraged.
Life Goes On
The tide rolls in.
The tide rolls out.
As it has for millennia.
As it will for millennia to come.
Until one of us meat bags hatches some cockamamie scheme to blow up that big pizza pie in the sky. Now you see it. Now you don’t.
There are easier ways to disrupt the natural order of things, but insanity often doesn’t take the easy route. Creativity laced with cyanide. That’s all insanity really is. One day, it will take us all to Hell.
But until then.
The tide rolls in.
The tide rolls out.
As it has for millennia.
—
Have a look see at what the rest of the Fictioneers came up with by clicking on the image below.
August 10th, 2012 at 6:06 AM
very nice
August 10th, 2012 at 6:26 AM
Thanks
August 10th, 2012 at 6:50 AM
Wow, well that’s a strong image there Adam of the insanity of Man. I really liked it: https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2012/08/10/friday-fictioneers-shell-seeker/
August 10th, 2012 at 8:53 PM
I’m convinced we’ve all got a bit of insanity in us. It’s just a question of how much.
August 13th, 2012 at 7:12 AM
It’s a bit like that old autistic spectrum isn’t it - we’re all on it, just some are further along than others 🙂
August 10th, 2012 at 7:04 AM
Dear Adam,
Please don’t give anyone any ideas. The meat bags are meat heads, but they are nothing if not persistent.
I enjoyed your riff on the rhythms of time and tide.
Aloha,
Doug
https://ironwoodwind.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/croatan-summer/
August 10th, 2012 at 8:55 PM
I fear I can’t give them any ideas they haven’t already thought of. Hopefully plans aren’t already in the works.
August 10th, 2012 at 7:13 AM
Very nice. “Creativity laced with cyanide. That’s all insanity really is.”-perfect, and so true. Great job.
Here’s mine: https://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/down-by-the-sea-shore/
August 10th, 2012 at 8:57 PM
Glad you enjoyed my little observation.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:18 AM
I like much…almost like it could be a song
August 10th, 2012 at 8:58 PM
I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I can’t sing to save my life, so that may be why. Glad you liked it.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:29 AM
Creativity laced with cyanide. That stuff definitely kills.
I thought this was neat. An interesting take.
August 10th, 2012 at 8:59 PM
It may kill, but I’m betting some of the best ideas come from moments of insanity, also some of the worst.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:07 AM
An excellent piece with a great rhythm to it. Well done.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Thanks, Sandra. Writing is the only rhythm I can manage, and that’s only occasionally. Otherwise, there is no rhythm in these bones.
August 10th, 2012 at 12:53 PM
You’re hatching philosophical on us today, Adam. Nicely done.
https://russellgayer.blogspot.com/
August 10th, 2012 at 9:01 PM
I am, indeed. Glad you found it enjoyable.
August 10th, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Mr. Ick! 🙂 Nice one.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:02 PM
Mr. Ick… reminds me of Mr. Yuck. Now you just need to make the smiley green!
August 10th, 2012 at 11:19 PM
Haha, was kidding 😀
August 10th, 2012 at 3:59 PM
Oh, yeah. You saw those white crystals I stirred into my coffee this morning? Just kidding. I don’t drink coffee. Here’s to insanity, and to the tide rolling in and rolling out.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:03 PM
I don’t drink coffee either. I’ve never even bothered to try it. Not sure why. Maybe it’s the insanity seeping out slowly.
August 10th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Very clever dark humor. Love the rhythm of this piece!
-Jan
https://janmorrill.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/fridayfictioneers-flashfiction-shell-phone/
August 10th, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Thanks, Jan. I’m glad you enjoyed my short observation.
August 10th, 2012 at 7:25 PM
You seemed worried about your story, but I actually liked it a lot. The structure was interesting and reinforced the theme of the story. Also, the geologist in me liked the idea of vast cycles of time.
Mine is here:
https://glossarch.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/that-this-ocean-may-rise-fridayfictioneers/
August 10th, 2012 at 9:05 PM
I was a little bit worried about it. It felt a little off for me and didn’t come easily. I’m glad it turned out to be well received.
August 10th, 2012 at 8:57 PM
Worth it for the observation of ‘creativity laced with Cyanide”. THAT is a truly awesome thought.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:06 PM
That was my favorite part while writing this. I’m not sure where it came from. It just kind of appeared on the page and I loved it.
August 10th, 2012 at 9:09 PM
I had trouble with this week’s prompt too, but yours doesn’t seem like a struggle at all. Nice pacing, nice rhythm and a sense of just waiting for something. The light dismissive tone of “now you see it, now you don’t” and the observation about creativity/insanity were right on. Nice!
Brian (https://pinionpost.com/2012/08/10/the-reunion/)
August 11th, 2012 at 5:28 PM
I’m glad it cam across like I didn’t struggle, but as writers we know how much work goes into making it look that way when the exact opposite is true.
August 11th, 2012 at 2:28 AM
Disabused and rather irritable. The narrator is not happy with his life and/or the people in it. Or (s)he has just had enough of Man’s stupidity. I like the circle in the text. I used to do that in poems and lyrics. (I use the past tense because I don’t seem to be writing either, these days.) It frames it and gives it an “eternal” feel.
August 11th, 2012 at 5:29 PM
I can’t say I blame him. I tire of Man’s stupidity on a near daily basis.
August 11th, 2012 at 7:00 AM
Hi Adam,
When I first started reading this I thought, “Ho hum, another seashell poem.” I should have known better from you. 😉 I read it twice. You lure us in and then smack us in the face. Why did I think Dr. Strangelove? It’s early yet and I’m only on my first cup of coffee. Good job.
Thanks for commenting on mine…better late than never. I hope one day to follow Elise to the sea.
https://www.rochelle-wisoff.blogspot.com/2012/08/safe.html
August 11th, 2012 at 5:30 PM
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Rochelle. I’m not sure on my own thoughts of the sea. I’ve only ever been there once and it was nice, but not as nice as I had expected it to be.
August 11th, 2012 at 9:18 PM
The real delight of the ocean is beneath the waves. 😉
August 11th, 2012 at 5:00 PM
I’d say you’re sick but I’m not so sure. Loved the piece.
August 11th, 2012 at 5:32 PM
You may just be right, but I’m okay with that. Thanks for reading. Glad you enjoyed it.
August 12th, 2012 at 12:11 PM
Creativity laced with cyanide pretty much sums up insanity doesn’t it? Enjoyed this very much and the whole rhythm of the piece made it feel as if it was swaying like a ticking timebomb.
August 12th, 2012 at 7:14 PM
I like to think that sums insanity up perfectly, but I may be biased as I wrote it. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
August 12th, 2012 at 2:06 PM
I liked using the same words for the opening and closing, which really tied it together nicely and made it poetic. As for the rest, I just somehow knew (even after only about a month), that you would be able to get a well-done horror twist into an upbeat photo. 🙂
August 12th, 2012 at 7:16 PM
Thanks, Janet. I think I make an effort in turning things into something darker, especially the more upbeat photos. I consider it a personal challenge. I don’t always succeed, but I try. Glad you liked it!
August 13th, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Great observation here - if a little cheerless. Your “poetic” presentation makes this feel really fresh and original. Nice job!
I’m over here: https://elmowrites.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/friday-fiction-shells/
August 13th, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Thanks, Elmo. I’m glad you enjoyed my little piece of cheerlessness.
August 13th, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Well, Adam I am impressed. I was drawn in with the rhythm you set, then once again pictured a very old man who’s seen everything. Or if you gave some outside force the power of observation. Just awesome. I know it’s Monday, but I’ll leave my link anyway in case someone comes through after men: https://remakingme-atiyatownes.blogspot.com/2012/08/friday-fictioneers-sand-and-sea-shells.html
August 13th, 2012 at 10:56 PM
I don’t think life has gone quite the way this guy had hoped. He’s a bit jaded and bitter in his old age.