Waterfalls
This is my fifth April A-to-Z Challenge. The past couple of years, I’ve written 100-word flash fiction each day. This year I’m doing the same, only with a twist: each day’s story will be inspired by the title of a Paul McCartney song. So let’s continue the fun with…
WATERFALLS
The water cascaded like a thin net sheet, its wet strands forming cobwebs over the rocks. Masami sat on a bench listening to Yasu fall into Yoneshiro, the one giving life to the other.
She felt a presence beside her and at her back.
Masami breathed steadily as a hand started on her leg, and another slid over her shoulders.
She focused on Yasu’s strength.
Barely a flick of the wrist, her white stick connected with the head behind her. Her elbow found seat partner’s chest, and the stick found his crotch. She heard feet running.
Peace again to meditate.
Check back tomorrow for “X”…
“Waterfalls” is a track from Paul’s 1980 album, “McCartney II.” It was released as a single that same year, reaching number 9 in the UK charts.
Here’s the music video based on the radio edit:
This is the complete album version of the song:
“its wet strands forming cobwebs over the rocks” – this is sublime, Colin!
Oh, and a ‘lovely’ story, too…
“Peace again to meditate” speaks to me, what with the Z post fast approaching – there’ll hopefully be time again, after, to write my poor neglected WIP! 🙂
Thanks, Kae. Yes–the end is in sight! 🙂
popping by the neighbours on the AtoZ nice theme you have and I like the short snappy posts
Pop by at 190?
Hi, Michael! Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like the theme. 🙂
Ouch. Lovely song. And now X,Y,Z. Keeping that 100 word limit is impressive. You’ll win the next dozen flash fiction contests. These have all been so much fun.
It is a lovely song, one of the best on that album (IMO). I don’t know about winning any future ff contests, but this is certainly good practice! And I don’t know if you noticed (I’m not sure how you would just “notice” such a thing) but so far, all the stories have been *exactly* 100 words. Thanks, Elise! 🙂
I’m sorry but I saw Waterfalls and instantly started thinking of that one R&B song about chasing waterfalls. ^^;;
Are you thinking of the TLC song from the 90s? If you listen to Macca’s, you’ll notice something of a similarity, at least lyrically. Macca’s came first. 🙂
What a great little tale. Love the McCartney track too. I stood at the next urinal to him in men’s loo in Buckingham Palace the day he got his knighthood!
My A-Z story features 4 neglected W words
My friend Rosey has had a go too – Wobbly Wosey!
Thanks, Keith! Really? Wow! Were you up for a knighthood, too? 🙂 Actually, I’m not sure what’s more impressive: a) that you stood next to Macca; b) that you shared a bathroom with Macca; c) that you’ve used the urinals at Buckingham Palace. 😉
Ha ha! No, my Mother in law was getting a gong from the Queen during the same ceremony. Joan Collins bumped into me on the stairs that day too!
My final A-Z story features 13 neglected Z words
I love how we never see the person interrupting her. Just a few quick, deft movements and then back to meditation. Such focus – hers, and yours.
No, we don’t see Masami’s unwelcome interrupters. There’s a reason. Note the color of her stick. 🙂 Thanks, Celia!
Oh, I didn’t catch that! That’s terrific.
Okay, I’m sure feeling dense here. I know I’m missing something, but haven’t placed my finger on it yet. This is like one of the Queen’s contests where I didn’t even understand a story and it winds up as a finalist.
I’ve re-read this piece. Not doing much better, but I realized the first time I was attributing the two names to people that were with Masami, not rivers. Sheesh, why am I even admitting to such idiocy?!
My third read isn’t working either. I’m a have to come back. Too bad I don’t drink coffee! Might be time to start…
No problem, John. Maybe this will help:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yasu_Falls
You may have noticed, I’ve tried to incorporate some non-white characters into my stories this month. This story is an homage to my SecondBorn who is a total Asiaphile. She’s learning Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Korean, Vietnamese, and, I think, Thai, as well as Russian (just for kicks). I thought it would also be interesting to set the story away from North America, just for a change.
Bearing that in mind, and, as I mentioned above, the color of her stick, hopefully the story makes a bit more sense to you.
And don’t feel stupid. This one definitely expected the reader to bring more than usual, so I knew there was a risk not everyone would get it. It’s not you. 🙂
Okay, it took me a while — and a couple clues! — but I finally caught up with this one. Whew!
Good for SecondBorn. I studied Mandarin for 5 1/2 years and a little bit of Russian just for kicks as well.
Dos vedanya and Dzai jian!
The first read-around, I saw the woman as 20ish. But by the end she’s blind and old. My second read around she was old from the beginning then I wasn’t sure.
The third time I couldn’t décide.
Oh, flash fiction! I’m not sure why she would need to be old, but I can’t say you’re wrong, Angie. I’ve left plenty of room for your imagination to fill in the gaps, so however you want to see the story’s fine with me. 🙂
I love love love your stories, dear Colin! And that’s wonderful that you’ve left plenty of room for our imagination to fill in the gaps… 😀
Thank you, Lilac! I’m glad people can still enjoy the stories–even the more, um, obscure ones. 🙂