Soft in the background of this 103 word story for Madison Woods’ FridayFictioneers, Joni Mitchell sings A Case of You and I think of the beauty of Haiku and how I would much rather have shared this story with less words.
Not accomplished enough to go there, but soon…
Other stories are here and something tells me they’ll be good ones. Summer’s heat and the wine will have gone to people’s heads. Stay safe, everyone, and if you can’t be good, be careful. Aloha, D.
I was hesitant at first, fearful of sending tendrils into arid soil, but velvet warmth and a wellspring of moisture urged me on. Rising from rootstock and fecund earth, held erect by the staves and twine of desire, my trunk thickened, each new leaf turning ever toward her radiance.
Two years on I am solid and strong from her caress, the fruit of my love filled to bursting with elixir d’amour.
My shining love has not yet grasped the measure of my feelings, but Bacchus, the god that comes, assures me that one day she will taste her effect upon the vine.
ironwoodwind 
I’ll drink to that!
“The fullness of time…”. Flaming heck, Doug. It IS hot in here. Such displays of mastery! Cold shower. The vines are strong in this one.
http://mysocalleddutchlife.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/through-the-grapevine-ff-200712/
Doug, this is most unique story of all I’ve read so far. Great job.
HI Doug, this is one of yours I have enjoyed the most (and your stories are always enjoyable). Amazing and well written, loved it! Thanks!
Very poetic of you. Beautiful piece.
Very beautiful!! And so pleasant to read…mine is here
The prettiest piece of work I may have ever found Bacchus in. A dignified plant, Doug!
Very nicely done. I especially enjoyed how you get fecund earth in there. Love that word 🙂
Sumptuous, Doug! Provokes the senses, as you always do.
Such strong and evocative language and such a command of vocabulary too – I’m always impressed when I come on over to have a read. I particularly liked the ‘elixir d’amour’ and the reference to Bacchus will always appeal too 🙂
http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2012/07/20/friday-fictioneers-the-grapevine/
Once again you illustrate your skill and mastery, Doug – such a ripe story, combining both promise and satisfaction.
My rather more ordinary attempt is here:
http://www.lazuli-portals.com/flash-fiction/sweet-and-sour
A steamy piece, full of innuendo. Or is that just my mind? I always enjoy reading your submissions, and this is no exception.
Beautifully done, a wonderful love song to grape growers… or lovers, whichever 🙂
How can I add to what’s been said? This piece is gorgeous; almost more poetry than prose. “What a piece of work is man…how noble in reason…” Suffice it say, I enjoyed this one. As always I look forward to your flashes every week and have yet to be disappointed.
Sharom.
For those who don’t list: http://www.rochelle-wisoff.blogspot.com/2012/07/bittersweet.html
Crikey, Doug, you’ve gone steamy again! With all the poetic genius you work into these pieces, to give the reader an impression that he (or she) might be guilty of reading far too much into each individually-innocent word!
When I read your intro, I was determined to present you with three words you could cut, but I’m easily distracted, so let’s see… OK, if you’re keen to hit the magic number, I’d suggest you lose “to bursting” (good, but slightly cliched and unnecessary) and change “assures me that” to “assures me”. There, never one to fail a challenge, me!
Poetic and sensual and amazingly written. Wonderful piece, Doug.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/asylum/
Hi Doug
How can you not write something so majestic with the warm summer heat and Joni Mitchell in the background? Poetic and beautifully written 🙂
Beautiful!
Kudos, my friend. I can see people climbing to the top of that Hawaiian mountain to learn writing from the Master. While it is a beautifully crafted piece, I’m dissapointed that it never got to the part about your drunken Grandmother (I assume she was released from prison?), her dog, and the oncoming train. Quit teasing me like that, MacIlroy, or write you into one of my stories – HA!
Stop by and torture yourself with mine
http://russellgayer.blogspot.com/
sending tendrils, is lyrical, and you’ve managed to weave your metaphor so thoroughly, the eroticism is veiled and shadowed but at the forefront at the same time. magic, as always.
Raise a glass of wine to another wonderfully written piece. Very lyrical. I love the reference to Bacchus. Nice little bit of mythology to round it out. Salut!
http://theforgottenwife.com/2012/07/19/friday-fictioneers-july-20-2012/
What a sensuous and erotic and yet innocent story. This is the first time I’ve seen Bacchus in the feminine light… the vine sounded quite masculine, actually it sounds like a coming of age tale…
Goodness me, Doug. I’m all atwitter! Your tantalizing words make me want for a glass of said inebriant – even at this early hour. We drove through miles of wine country on our recent trip through California, but I only saw rows and rows of grapes – not fruits “filled to bursting with elixir d’amour.”
~Susan (www.susanwenzel.com)
On a second (and a far deeper) thought…”she” may be the sun, but you may not even be speaking of wine at all…oy.
Like Susan, I was thinking “she” was the sun, but the ending made me question that idea. So…very provocative on several levels and an enjoyable enigma.
Mine is here: http://erinleary.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/flash-friday-fiction-12
Hi Doug,
What you’ve done here is a beautiful and plaintive evocation. I think it was the extra three words that made it extra special. The voicing is strong and compelling. Superb piece of writing!
What can I add that hasn’t already been said..except it was brilliant. Plus, the comments betw, you and Russell are another thing. lol. I’m #68 on the list.
Very colorfully written. I enjoyed the read.
Wonderful story – I had to read it a couple of times to decide who “she” is – I think she’s the sun?? Meanwhile it also seems very metaphorical, with the narrator really a human lover, but the metaphors wouldn’t work without the physical details of what it’s like (!) to be a struggling grapevine.
Then again, maybe I’m reading much too much into it!
Sensuality at it’s max. I could read your piece over and over. Sip in each word, and smile. So beautiful!
Yello Doug!
I felt this… Very deep. Great piece.
Very nice, I really enjoyed this 😀
Cheers! I love every word of this beautiful piece. There are meanings that come through that make interpretation dependent on the reader’s frame of mind at the moment.
I love this Doug. How original and so sensual (I agree with Kris!). I want to be the wine from the vine 🙂 Outstanding work my friend!
this might need an “R” rating. in a good way.
Who wouldn’t wish to be the vine under such coaxing attentiveness and stroking?
A beautiful accompaniment to the photo, Doug.