For week 51 of the 100-Word Challenge for Grown-Ups, the prompt is, simply:
…together the flames…
We have 100 words to produce a creative piece from the prompt. It doesn’t say we have to use those words exactly, but I did, as you’ll see.
“Fire Dancers”
They’d danced what felt a slow forever: circling, stepping, narrowly avoiding, their movements never too close…nor too far. Just enough distance to stay safe, to stay mellow, to stay simply teasing and contained.
But even embers, left alone, will glow, and crackle, and burn.
That’s what they did, at last, one night. Flared fiercely in the dim dark as they met for the first time, feeding and devouring each other both, with each kiss and lick growing stronger, brighter, until they burst, together, the flames forming a consuming conflagration.
His wife fled.
Her husband wept.
And the fire raged on.
What kind of flames did you stoke for this week’s prompt?
Ooh, tantalizing! I love how you really get right into the nitty-gritty of desire. And this one has a poetic feel to it. I love ‘dim dark’ because that image comes through strongly. Nice job!
Thanks, Kate.
I did originally attempt a kind of loose iambic pentameter for this, but couldn’t sustain. 😀 Glad the piece as a whole still works, though. (I really like “dim dark,” too, but try to keep my alliteration to a minimum, or I’m bound to go overboard.)
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I thought the first paragraph was excellent, depicting the forming attraction – that’s definitely the way it goes. So it then came as a surprise in the third as they ‘met for the first time’. So how had they been communicating beforehand – by internet? The first para sets the reader up for something a bit more tangible by way of preliminaries… or maybe I’m not using the internet right! Nicely done, whatever, full of promise. Well done!
very seductive writing here- love how you have used the prompt and the ending- poor husband did he deserve it??
Thanks for the kind words, Sandra. 🙂
I was trying to avoid any dips into “50 Shades of Grey” territory (that “first meeting” is really the first consummation of their affair), but perhaps I was being too roundabout! 😀 Glad you enjoyed it nonetheless.
Thanks, Jenny!
I don’t think innocent parties ever deserve it. …But, then again, maybe the husband and the wife aren’t so innocent, themselves.
Oh Mayumi such passion! a lovely weaving of words 🙂
Such is what happens when embers like that light fuses. It was a seemingly a matter of time before detonation. And then will come the next morning…
You always know how to weave a passionate trail, even if it is scandalous. There is a palpable feeling of temptation and submission here. I look forward to seeing more of this story!
Outstanding work Mayumi!
So much said in so few words … the feelings and desires came right through.
I could just imagine where a longer version would go. Ohhh la la …!!!!
Very nice
Thank you, Gilly. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
I need to head over to yours, now….
Thanks, Shade! Glad you liked it. (I liked yours, too!)
I hadn’t meant at all to write this, but it almost materialized, fully-formed, from my pen. Not entirely certain why, but my mind seems to be dwelling on the “what ifs?” lately….
Thanks for reading my 100 word challenge blog-I have enjoyed reading yours as well. I will follow your blog and hope you will do the same. I’ve gotten a bit behind, please forgive if i have repeated my self-that means I have read even more of your blogs!
Goodness! How sensual. Such imagery that holds your reader’s attention to the end. Wonderful!
Agreed, imagery is bold (I’d have dropped a couple of adjectives myself) although I think its deliberately flowery to emphasize the last three lines? Makes an impact 😀
Thank you, Isadora! So glad you liked it.
I’ve been tossing around ideas about a longer version, actually. Because I hate the thought of leaving those two burning like that….
Thanks for stopping by, Beebee, and for following! I try to keep to a regular Monday – Wednesday – Saturday schedule, so I hope I don’t overwhelm!
I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog, too. There are lots of charming entries!
Thanks, Julia. These prompts certainly make me work, but I’m glad readers are enjoying them, too. 🙂
Thanks, Ventahl!
I tried this first as a poem piece (you can still see some of the iambic rhythm in those first lines), and I tend to turn flowery with those! 😀 I think in a more serious piece done not strictly for fun, I’d take your advice about the language. Good for me to keep in mind.
Thanks again!