Friday Fictioneers is a weekly photo-prompted, 100 word writing challenge. Warning: it’s highly addictive, and involves very fine people. If you’re interested in joining, or would like to read more of the stories, check out Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog; she’s our talented ringmaster. As always, I welcome honest, constructive feedback; please leave a comment.
© Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
First Love
“Rows and floes of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way”
“There’s Micky Mouse, waving his big glove.” Allie pointed, “lower right.”
Jen squinted. “I don’t see it.”
“It’s fading already. I think rain’s coming; our picnic’s ruined.”
Allie felt tears sting her eyes, and wiped them, embarrassed.
Jen took her hand and kissed her palm.
“I see angels smiling through the dark clouds; their rays of light make everything seem possible. Nothing’s ruined when we’re together.”
Allie shyly moved closer, as they watched the sky change.
(Exactly 100 words)
The minute I saw this photo, one of my favorite songs came to mind. Take a moment to enjoy Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now
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KAPOW! I didn’t meet the 2016 goal for Likes on the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page; missed it by 14! So this year, I’m not setting a goal. I’m grateful for each Like I get. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, LeBron James does (yes, for real)! Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. Honest, constructive feedback is always appreciated. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, no spam.
©2017 All content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, I’m grateful, but please give proper credit and Link back to my work; plagiarism sucks!
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Oh thank you so much for adding the song (it’s been in my head since the “In Memoriam” at the Oscars! It’s my second favourite of hers. I love Joni more and more as I get older… I dunno why I didn’t before!
This was a lovely story. So sweet…
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It’s funny how our tastes change with age and time. I find so many songs and artists that I didn’t appreciate, and now enjoy. I forgot that they played it at the Oscars, but yes! Twice in one week! Thanks for your kind words, Dale.
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Indeed! It was in my head all the next day! Love it.
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I have always loved the Judy Collins version, but Joni’s version really captivates me right now. The slower, deeper tones… really moving.
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Her voice feels like a warm blanket, wrapping you in comfort (even if it is sad)
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You know Dawn, I just had to put up the video again, but I chose the studio version remastered. Nope, the one you chose is sooooo different. Her voice is so low and sultry compared to when she was younger…. sigh…
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Yes, exactly. The age thing brings an entirely new perspective… I just wrote another comment to you about this. Judy vs Joni… love them both, but Joni wins this round for me. There is a GORGEOUS children’s book of this song, that I bought for my kids, many years ago. I can’t wait to share/sing it to my grandson!
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Ooohhh…gotta check it out!
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Lovely words and the beautiful Joni too. Thank you.
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Thanks so much Martin; I appreciate your kind words. And thanks for stopping by Tales From the Motherland; hope you’ll be back. 🙂
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A pleasure Dawn. I will return!
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A sweet, sweet tale – a little snapshot of love and wonderfully described.
Funny you should share the song as I heard Judy Collin’s version on the radio yesterday. I don’t know what it is about the tune but it makes me cry every time I hear it. Something about loss and nostalgia and growing older and realising that you still know so little about the world.
Thanks for sharing Dawn
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I was just reminded that it was sung for the in memoriam for the Oscars, on Sunday, too. This has always been one of my favorite songs, and makes me cry too… every time. I wanted to paint a picture of young love, that is between too young girls, but not provocative. Love is love is love…
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The story worked so well, Dawn. Beautifully done and very touching
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Thanks so much Lynn; I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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My pleasure Dawn 🙂
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A touching scene, simple and effective.
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I love how you left me wondering what age these two are. That leaves the door open for many options.
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I must say, that is one of my favorite songs of all time. It was in my head when I saw the prompt, but I went the other way.
Sweet and beautiful, I love how you captured a bit of insecurity and a lot of love.
So glad to see you returned to the writing table. 🙂
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So sweet… somehow I think they will remember the rain forever… a moment to cherish
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The tone, the pacing, the way you present this couple is just perfect. Real. Although we’ve only read a few sentences about them, the exchange let’s us know that there is nothing that can break them apart. And even if something threatens them, the danger will only bring them closer. Beautiful.
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Thanks Magaly. As with many flash fiction stories, the title is part of it. This is a first love–– two young girls exploring those first heady feelings. Time will be the likely thing that separates them; as so many of us know, those first loves don’t always last. But I wanted to express that sense of magic and idealism that comes with first love. Clouds have always made me think of magic. I really appreciate your thoughtful comments and kind feedback; thank you!
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When you are in love, the weather really doesn’t matter all that much.
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No it doesn’t! The whole world seems brighter when we are falling in love. Thanks Rommy!
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Dear Dawn,
Sweet story of budding love. And Both Sides Now is one of my favorite songs of all time. Lovely.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shabbat Shalom, Rochelle (a day early). One of my very favorites too, and this photo just sang it out to me. 🙂
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I was kind of young … OK, I was REALLY young when that song came out! It’s amazing what we see in things whether it’s in the clouds or anywhere and how it affects us.
By the way, I missed the Oscars, but our movie review boys were out in full force on Facebook Live. My station isn’t an ABC affiliate. 😀
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This was our 20th annual Oscar party. I was Princess Leia, but with a possible ruptured disc, I was a princess on the sofa this year! 😉 And yes, interesting and amazing how time changes our perspective on so many things!
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Ruptured disc? Ouch! Sorry about that. 😦
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Big bummer for sure! It’s been a rough, rough 11 days.
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I had a bulging disc that tortured me for almost 10 years. Finally, a surgeon whittled the offending part off and I’ve felt like a new man ever since.
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Given that I live with a neurosurgeon, it’s unlikely I’ll wait 10 years (oh my!!), but for now–– as you probably remember, it’s a wait and (painfully) watch game. The spinal injection helped with the most acute part (wherein I literally could not walk for about 1-2 hrs each morning, and wailed in pain), and I am more mobile and less whiny. But man, I am not a patient patient. This sucks the big one! Thanks for the sympathy Russell… whine, whine.
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😦
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I really enjoyed this!
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Thanks so much, and I appreciate you stopping by Tales From the Motherland; hope you’ll be back!
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I love Joni! That fit perfectly well.
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Thanks Louise. I love this song, and this version. It just played in my head as these two young girls fell in love. 😉
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She sees Mickey Mouse and he sees angles? Joni’s a keeper! Lovely story.
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They are two young girls, Liz… and the beams of light are the reference to angels, coupled with the magical feeling of falling in love for the first time. Thanks for the feedback!
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I’m late to the party, Dawn, but I wanted you to know I loved this. I have been insanely busy and haven’t had a chance to call either. Moving my office this weekend – it was unexpected and has really increased the stress, but I think it’s going to be a good move.
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Cathy, I totally get it; life has been a wee bit strained here too. So sorry about your office situation, hope it all works out for the better! Thanks for the kind words, and for taking the time. I know you’re out there; that means everything. xo
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What a sweet little tale.
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Thanks so much Neel. I appreciate your feedback.
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I referenced this song when commenting on another blog. Thank you for using it here. Like you mentioned earlier, time changes our perspective and we often appreciate things now that seemed ho-hum in our youth. That really is seeing Both Sides.
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I always loved this song, even as a kid. But I loved the more upbeat Judy Collins one. Now, this somber, melodic, Joni version just grabs me in the soul. I really don’t know aging at all… 😉
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That’s so beautiful As you said above: love is love is love. We all need to understand this. The music is perfect.
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Thanks so much Gabriele. Oh, if only we all really “got it.”
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Yup…great song!
Good story too 🙂
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Thanks Dawn; much appreciated! 🙂
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I went straight to the poem and was initially lost. I see “it”. Thanks for the lead on the challenge, sounds fun.
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Now I’m the one that’s confused… what challenge? And poem? I’m lost.
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PS FB liked
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I’ve always loved looking at clouds this way, it’s such a relaxing way of escaping. You’ve written a very sympathetic piece and caught everything in just 100 words.
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Thanks Michael. Nature provides us with so many amazing ways to experience beauty, horror, love… everything is out there. And yes, clouds really capture it all so well.
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Such sweetness in the story and yet sadness lurking between the lines. I used to love the song as a young adult but have not listened to it for many years. Thanks for reminding me 😊
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Thanks for the feedback. I didn’t feel the sadness, just the insecurities of first love. We are all so vulnerable, when we find love.
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It’s like I could feel the ring turn cold, tarnished or not and the feeling of coldness coming up through my knee. Great visualization:)
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Dawn I apologize it seems like the links are going all over the place I meant to post this comment on a another flash fiction Best regards
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I figured it had to be something like that… the comments didn’t match the story, but I figured I was lost in some deeper observation! 😉
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Lol have a great Sunday! WordPress crashed quite abit on me today. Thanks for understanding
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I am in awe of how your mind works. You are such an artist. You paint such beautiful pictures. ❤️
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Thanks so much for that; it means the world to me. Some days I feel so lost and unable to move thru’ creativity, but such beautiful feedback sure helps. Thanks K! 143 ❤
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Ahh I wish I could be on a blanket staring at the swimming clouds..the vastness and openness of the blue sky and hope. Your words captured it perfectly.
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Thanks Audra! Oh yes, to feel that sweet first stirrings of love, beneath a sky full of potential… ahh.
I’ve missed several of your last posts. I’ve thought of videotaping my reaction, just to drive the point home! 😉
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Last one really sucked, Dawn. Had to come down. Sorry. Im crazy. I should just delete the damn blog. ( thanks for sticking with me…I do appreciate it)
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We are crazy together, and if you delete that blog, I will delete mine! Blackmail my darling. 😉 xo
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I am not going anywhere.. and you better not either. Dealio
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Pinky swear. xo
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Fabricating to give joy to someone, haven’t we all done it?
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We have indeed! Thanks for your comment.
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This is so cute! I feel really good after reading this! Thanks for this lovely post.
I would be very grateful to have your feedback on my take on the prompt. I’m fairly new to the FF group. You can find it here:
Thanks
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this kind of story never grows stale. it remains fresh no matter how many times you read it.
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New love is eternal hope, I think. Thanks Plaridel!
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