FRIDAY FICTIONEERS: Swept Away?
Friday Fictioneers – a blog with a photo prompt – Every, you guessed it, Friday. Here’s my 100 word story.
Swept Away?
by Gretchen Fogelstrom
The shadows are growing long. I know it’s time to go home, to face her. Deep down, I know she is right. I need to go back to school.
But I’ve always felt alive on the beach, nowhere else. The rest of the world seems too chaotic. The rhythm of the rising and setting of the sun, the in and out of waves, they help me breathe. The biggest crazy, is when the wind kicks up and the waves grow large.
The wind is kicking up now. And the waves are at my toes. What if a rogue wave comes? Could I be swept away? Could I become one with the fish?
Aren’t I philosophic? Hmm, maybe philosophy as a major?
30 Comments
Just Me
Nice story, Gretchen, hopefully your character can find their own path…or maybe find a college near the ocean.
gretchenfogelstrom
College near the ocean sounds good!
claireful
A good place to gather your thoughts… I think you may have a typo here: ‘And they waves are at my toes.’
gretchenfogelstrom
Thanks for the catch! I had well over 100 words and kept cutting – missed a y. Thanks for that!
Sandra
I liked this. For me the photo had an end of summer feeling and your story captured this. I hope he thinks again about his choice of subject.
gretchenfogelstrom
Me too. Long shadows, low light. Felt like end of summer. Didn’t the photo seem warm? I’d like some warm about now!
Sandra
Me too. We’ve more snow forecast for tonight. Brrrr!
Joanna (Lazuli Portals Trilogy)
I really enjoyed this piece – I like the way it moves through stages from musings to the change in the waves, and in turn directing the narrator’s thoughts. 🙂
gretchenfogelstrom
Thanks!
themisanthropicmuse
Hmm, maybe philosophy as a major? Sounds like fun to me 😉
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
A beach university with philosophy sounds great 🙂
gretchenfogelstrom
Are you thinking Univ of Santa Cruz like I am?
rich
well done. nothing like a philosophy major to stall for time.
gretchenfogelstrom
Totally agree! Ha!
sustainabilitea
We have a daughter who felt a bit like that about college and is now in art school. I enjoyed this.
janet
rochellewisoff
Dear Gretchen,
I really enjoyed being part of her thoughts. Well done.
shalom,
Rochelle
gretchenfogelstrom
Thanks – and thanks for the beautiful prompt!
bridgesareforburning
Hi Gretchen,
I like the way she uses her love of the beach and sea to describe her life. Ron
gretchenfogelstrom
I tend to use nature to describe myself as well, so perhaps that was just an obvious method for me. Hadn’t really thought about it before – thanks for the insight.
train-whistle
the ocean refreshes my spirit and makes me calm. I understand not wanting to leave it. you bring that feeling to me in this piece.
“The biggest crazy, is when the wind kicks up and the waves grow large.” — a favorite line.
gretchenfogelstrom
Thanks!!
tedstrutz
Philosophy it is then! It’s always so hard when you find it hard to do what you know you should. I felt the pain.
gretchenfogelstrom
Ah the pain of youth and indecision. Or maybe that isn’t reserved for youth :-). Thanks for your thoughts!
glossarch
Come on, man, don’t go to college! Grab some Plato, catch some rays, and teach yourself philosophy.
gretchenfogelstrom
Seriously! Love it!
deanabo
Sometimes a break is needed! There’s nothing wrong with taking a little time. Great writing.
gretchenfogelstrom
Thanks! I agree. I could have used one in college. But alas, that was long ago! 🙂
deanabo
long ago for me as well.
Joe Owens
Go to college near the place you feel most complete. have the best of both worlds.
gretchenfogelstrom
Ah to be young again and pondering college.