This was written for Friday Fictioneers. Thank you, Rochelle!
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Love’s Illusions
You outstretched your hand, your eyes bright with so many possibilities. I pressed my fingers into your palm, trusting.
We began the dance of two, lips clasping often, laughter gurgling, emotions, you were hesitant to call love, spiraling like cars on a ferris wheel.
I faithfully leaped. You withdrew.
Although young, I was raised with suspicion, which became true.
You could only have one of us so I begged–“Choose me. Love me.”—which never works.
I lost fairy princess dreams, the blazing carnival-ride of youthful love, but discovered the joy of solitary dizzy dancing.
end
Sascha Darlington
This was inspired by the title to Rochelle’s story because I saw it this afternoon and then couldn’t get the song, Both Sides Now, out of my head.
It’s love’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know love at all
Yep. I recognized it immediately.
Yep. Gets stuck in your head–but in a nice way. Thanks, Maggie.
So sad, and yet with a bleak happiness
Thank you, Neil! 🙂
Ah, I love this. It starts so conventional and beautifully romantic with the laughter and the emotion, and brings in cold realism. But in the end she finds peace with herself, which is a happy ending after all. Not depending on someone makes a future relationship so much better.
Yes. There’s so much for finding your own happiness and not making it dependent on someone else, which is hard, but can be done. Thanks so much! 🙂
Dear Sascha,
The insanity of love so well described. When I saw your title I wondered…;) I love your story and that song.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle! 🙂
At least her cloud had a silver lining.
Yes! Thank you. 🙂
Since this is the last post I’ll look at tonight, I will go to bed with that golden oldie in my head 🙂 Loved your take on the prompt.
Thank you so much, Linda. There are certainly worse songs to get stuck in your head.
The joys of growing up 🙂
Yes. 🙂 Thanks!
I think enjoying dancing by yourself is not a bad lesson… there will be more chances to get dizzy.
Nothing like solitary dizzy dancing!
Nope. I excelled at it when I was a kid…not so much now. haha. Thanks!