Photo Copyright: Madison Woods
She heard it through the grapevine,
She was Coward, she was Proud. She was that Easy Chic. She was Ignorant, Foolish, or Gullible, some said. She was Heartbreaker… Meat lover… She was Incomplete. She heard it through the grapevine, she was thoughtless. She was Crazy. She was Lazy too.
She heard through the grapevine, she was Sad, she was Hungry; she might have been Smart. She was Paranoid, she was Weak. She was Mischief and Meek.
It was Classless. It was Sad.
It was definitely not Smart. He said, She said.
This. Through a grapevine. That never knew her name.
[word count: 100]
Inspired by Madison Woods photo prompt for 100 word fiction, Go #FridayFictioneers.
Categories: Free Flow, Nifti Talks
Nifti's Book 
Love this. Can feel every word. I get it. I so get it.
Thanks for stopping in Renee 🙂
Thanks for writing it.
🙂
A beautiful and apt take on the prompt.
Thank you Celeste. Will you be doing one today? Can’t wait to read 🙂
Unofrtunately, I’m busy writing a consultancy work today so I won’t be doing one. Hopefully next week
oh, fun. 🙂
excellent nifti
Thank you! 🙂
Nice!
Deeply expressive. Makes a profound point.
http://ebooksscifi.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/pre-fall-by-ilyan-kei-lavanway-for-madison-woods-friday-fictioneers-100-word-flash-fiction/
I liked the capitalization. It conveyed a sense of certainty to all of the conjured parts of her. I wasn’t sure if it was “Meat lover” or if it should be “Meat Lover.” Either way, that phrase being tossed in there made me think twice about what the poem was actually about.
When I reached the end “Paranoid” seem to fit the main character best. “Meat lover” and “That never knew her name” were the two phrases (coupled with “Paranoid”) that made me draw this conclusion (I couldn’t figure out what meat lover had to do with anything, and it seems like for her to overhear this many people saying this many horrible things about her and never hear her name mentioned, she could easily be mishearing the words or projecting the sentiment onto herself rather than whoever they were actually talking about).
Definitely a sad take on the photo, but nicely done. 🙂
Hello Stacey, very insightful comment 🙂
I did just “toss” Meat lover in there. It could mean so many different things so I excitedly left it in. I’m glad the post got you thinking, sometimes, we project what others think of us from our own fears or attitude about ourselves. Many times, others judge who don’t really know us. (I’ll think about capitalizing ‘lover’ in Meat lover, I didn’t want the word taking in too much meaning 😀
I’m so grateful for your comment 🙂
Excellent – so many ways to describe someone, without ever really knowing them.
Mine is here: http://erinleary.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/flash-friday-fiction-12
You’ve aptly and concisely described the hurt “the grapevine” can inflict. Great job!
Thank you! And thanks for summarizing 🙂
Whoops, I forgot to fill out the form, so I’ll try again.
You’ve aptly and feelingly described the hurt wrought by “the (impersonal and notoriously inaccurate) grapevine. Great job!
Hi Janet. Just fished this out of the spam folder! But luckily I saw your other comment (i think) 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
This is lovely! Madison Woods has to be the most popular person on WP.. 🙂
🙂 She just might be. Thank you for stopping in 🙂
My pleasure. I think you are doing some great stuff here
Thank you 🙂
A perfect example of unchecked gossip. This piece makes you wonder who is on the other side saying this and what do they gain from saying these things. But like any truly good gossip everyone stays nameless. My share is over here: http://remakingme-atiyatownes.blogspot.com/2012/07/friday-fictioneers-under-vines.html
Thanks for the interpretation Atiya. Very true 🙂
powerful piece
Thanks Stacy 🙂
the grapevine, so powerful…. so potentially untrue…. nicely done
Thank you. I loved your story 🙂
Ouch. Gossip can be so cruel, as mindless as a plant and as hard to escape from as snarled vines. And when you swallow its fruit and start to believe it, you’re really in trouble. (Apologies for all the metaphors. They just wanted to grow over everything, and I couldn’t prune them fast enough.)
Well written!
I was smiling as I read this comment. Very true, the metaphors overgrow… I must now go read yours!
This story rocked on so many levels I’d need an elevator to get to them all. Very sharp and concise, insightful and eloquent. It’s a hard life.
Aloha,
Doug
http://ironwoodwind.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/sweet-wine-and-the-fullness-of-time/
Thanks so much 😀 Loved your piece too!
This is a fantastic post and so ‘real’ lifelike. Great job!!
Thank you!
Very cool, and a great commentary on judgment I think – who we judge and how we judge. Really worked for me!
Brian (thanks for your comments on mine)
Glad it did 🙂
is the internet one humongous grapevine of sorts, can gossip be informational or detrimental depending upon whether it is the truth or not …. should the song ” I Heard It Through The Grapevine ” be rewritten or does it still hold water to this day …. intriguing thoughts you share here Nifti …. ~ Jimi
Thanks for your comment Jimi. I feel it probably does… People judge continuously, and then spread their judgement without getting/trying/caring to know the truth …
Thanks for stopping in 🙂
Yes, Nifti, well framed, this poetic journey down the gauntlet of false accusations and unknowing opinions. Thank you for sharing.
🙂 Thanks for coming J.
it’s easier for us to be vicious when we don’t know someone’s name. nicely done.
Exquisite.Very nice post. JMS
Glad you like 🙂
Lovely! Simple, yet so clear! We all need to slash down those grapevines and make wine to devour those lingering words… 😉
hehe. yes 😉
Use their negativity as a positive power to succeed! And you will find your days blessed Nifti! Much love to you my sister!
Awwww… Thanks soo much Wendell.