NO NEED FOR MUCH OF AN INTRODUCTION - I think you all know the drill. You see the title "micro-fiction contest" and you know I'll give you a poem by Julia Ryan and a story inspired by that poem.
Today we have the SAME POEM that inspired Ivie Brooks in this post, so let's compare the takes, shall we??
WE HOLD ON TOO LONG
i wonder if perhaps some dreams are given but are meant to be given up.
as if the dream was only meant to carry us so far, instead of us holding onto it forever
// story by michele wilder //
“I’m sorry, Kami. I can’t marry you today. I’m in love with Amanda.”
There’s still time. Amanda shifted in her seat and watched Mark and his groomsmen line up across the podium. Surely he would come to his senses at the last minute and admit he really loved her.
The music began, and the bridesmaids paraded down the aisle. As Kami followed the flower girl and lifted her hand to Mark’s, his eyes teemed with love for his bride and seared Amanda’s last hope of ever becoming Mrs. Mark Andrews.
She scrunched her nose when they kissed at the end.
At the reception, Amanda noted her name on the seating chart and sat at her assigned table situated in the far corner of the room. She nibbled on mints and snapped a picture with the disposable camera of the seven empty chairs surrounding her table.
“Is there any room?” A man about Amanda’s age with blonde hair and milk chocolate eyes grinned as he withdrew the chair beside her.
“You might be able to squeeze in here somewhere.”
“I’m Jason Collier. Mark and I were college roommates.”
“I’m Amanda Sims and went to high school with Mark and Kami.”
Over dinner and cake they talked as if they were the only people in the room—thanks in part to the other six chairs remaining empty—pausing only when Mark and Kami stopped by during their rounds. As they proceeded to the next table, Jason whispered to Amanda, “Kami is a nice enough girl, but Mark always had the worst taste in women.”
Amanda stifled a smile
“Do you think anyone would notice if we skipped out and went for coffee?"
She shook her head. Perhaps it was a good thing Mark didn’t declare his love for her after all.
*applause for michele*
SPEAK UP, MY DUDES - WHAT DID YOU THINK?
HERE'S A QUESTION FOR YOU ALL : DO YOU THINK AMANDA WAS REALLY IN LOVE WITH MARK, OR DID SHE ONLY THINK SHE WAS?
HOW DID THIS COMPARE TO IVIE'S STORY? KINDA DIFFERENT, YES?
Ooooooh, I like it! It was a different take, but in a good way!
ReplyDeleteHm, that’s a good question. I think Amanda only thought she was in love with Mark - she switched interests pretty fast. :)
Great story, Michele!
Aww I really like this! So cute.
ReplyDelete"Sorry, can't marry you today." Dude. xD I liked how Amanda scrunched her nose when they kissed - can relate. xD Nice piece of writing, Michele!
ReplyDelete- Jem Jones
To me there is no comparison because both are so different and this one is so beautiful. I love the lighter way things are and how Amanda has hope of finding her one and only in this. That's so cool. Also really epic that a fellow writer was inspired by the same poem. Like, that's totally awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnyway... this is so amazing. I really love how they skip out on the wedding and go on their own. So sweet! :D
This is awesome! :D
ReplyDelete