First!

Unfortunately I really don't have the words to express how amazing this writing is. It is simply stunning._r

Wonderful, and sadly true far too often.

"Your words were written not in granite, but in the wet sand at the edge of the ocean. I slept and dreamed the round, satisfied dreams of a woman fulfilled, secure, beloved."
A lifetime is encapsulated in these words. Moan....
Rated.

You put into 101 words what so many of us try to write novels about.

The dreams are round and fertile like the moon, yes. Just as prone to wax and wane as frequently too. These lovers who write in the sand at the shoreline where the waves crash incessantly...alas. Don't they see us shining at them?

-r-

joan - come on, not even a word? I'll give you 101...:)

procopius - it does happen too often. Fortunately, I'm married to a granite carver.

zul - yes. Thank you.

ladyslipper - thanks so much. I wonder, though, if I tried to write a novel about it if I'd mess it up.

linnn - never in time. Never.

But DAMN my dyslexic heart ( thanks, Paul Westerberg) - it's 110 words long, not 101. Too late....

You have the cred for nine extra words.

And my usual wow. This gets old. I need to spend a little time with my thesaurus, so I have a bigger inventory of words for "you are amazing".

Holy...

Good lord, Ann.

I am speechless.

This is...art.

Please stop posting. You are humiliating us mere mortals :)

Seriously, this is breathtakingly good.

This was great! I read it three times. It's like a poem. You are Good!!

this is some truly beautiful writing. i would pull out & quote my favorite lines, but that would have me reprinting the entire piece in my comment. i'm so impressed. really nice.

Beautiful - and utterly heartbreaking...

suzanne - perhaps you could say I had "enlightened" you. :)

denise - thanks! It probably wouldn't have been the same had i not (inadvertently) cheated....

r - can't do that, but thanks!

cindy - thank you. I'd be honored to be on your list.

scanner - it wasn't as funny as yours, but then I tend to be Serious. ;-)

lorianne - what a lovely compliment. thanks so much.

alan - it was heartbreaking.

Powerful and sad

stunningly good. i just can't find the words to write a comment that says what this makes me feel. horrifyingly good, ann. the words ...

Breathtaking!

A poem and a novel all at once. Hey! How'd you do that?

True or not; this is hot!
Rated.

so much story in so few words - well done! (P.S. - wasn't this fun? I did it too!)

What a powerful commentary and images that jump off the page!
Really wowed me. Great analogy!

lunchlady - thank you. Cheer up - it's Saturday!

femme - thanks. This love stuff looks better on you, but I thought maybe if i was limited to 101 words I couldn't screw it up....

fay - thank you!

bell - a novellini?

thoth - thanks. It is true, it was hot, he was AWFUL.

pavanne - thanks! If the Nyquil doesn't kick in first, I'll be over to read yours.

just cathy - thanks. It (seriously) came to me in the shower.

Wow. simply wow. This is astonishing writing.
~R~

Whoa! I'm blown away.
Lezlie

Last line is the best, Ann. I enjoyed this.

Beautiful imagery and prose. I did however fall in love with one. Or maybe two. Third time charmed ;)

"wild, alcoholic optimism" , a "sobering tide"
You do know how to spun a tale.
r

Dreams smashed in an instant by reality. I read this earlier this evening, and had to go away and come back to comment on it--loved it, but it was disturbing too. I agree with those who commented that it is poetry.

unbreakable - thank you, thank you.

lezlie - thank you, too!

kathy - mine, too.

scarlett - it often is. :)

vanessa - thanks!

sophie - I'm sorry it upset you. It's something I've never, ever written about; 101 words seemed like a safe way to conatin it, but maybe it just got more sort of potent.

Well, hey! It sounded like it was good for a short while anyway.
I don't know about granite, but in life, nothing is forever.
So enjoy those lovely moments. I particularly liked, "I slept and dreamed the round, satisfied dreams of a woman fulfilled, secure, beloved."

I have always admired and respected your writing, Ann. This piece in particular proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that your talent is extraordinary. That you can do so much more with less and manage to convey all this with such economy is simply astounding. I think this is one of your most exquisite pieces.

Oh my. This is telling of what love with an addict is like for sure. I feel the pain.

This is so, so good. Full of power.

dianaani - it was a great feeling. It was. I agree that nothing lasts, but I think there's a difference that matters between someone who really means to make a commitment, and someone who tosses words and actions around with no willingness or intention to stand behind them. Maybe it's the lawyer in me, but good, sincere intentions mean a great deal.

cartouche - I'm honored that you think that. As I've said in other replies, I had never thought I'd write about this, and now I think I might have "aged" it to the point where it was worth reading.

sparking - it is not an easy road. You never know, really, whether you're dealing with the person you love, or the chemicals.

pilgrim - thank you. Feels a little exposed and raw for me, but sometimes I have to step out from behind Jane Austen and be my own, messed up self. :)

excellent, Ann. So grounded. You always delight and surprise me with how grounded you are! xoxox

"I mistook those grains of sand for granite chips"
i relate to this. love is damn blind.

this was phenomenal. really. loved it.

There is so much right with this piece, including the nuances . . . damn. So very impressive, Ann. So very, very good.

kissinglessons - thanks, although I was not particularly grounded at the time.

seafarer - it is. Why is that?

beth - thanks!

owl - thank you. It's maybe the silver lining from a terrible time in my life.

Ann..wowo..really well written. 'I found not even the stick you wrote with'...really very poetic and emotion filled. Thank for a lovely reading.

For me, too, "not even the stick" was so poetic. And being brought to your knees.

I so admire your craft.

cindy - I'm so glad there was pleasure for you in the piece!

consonantsandvowels - I'm pleased that you liked that; I played with it a bit and hoped it was the best it could be.

jonathan - thank you!!!

Got here late, but I may not hafta read anything else the rest of the week. Or be able to. This is...well, the others are right as rain. This is...it gives me flashes of envy, embarrassment and enuf guilt to wipe away the silly smirk I probly had on my face before I read it. (r)

clark - that's so very kind. I think you should keep reading stuff, though; you might miss something you'd like even better. :)