Wednesday, June 16, 2021

WEP - Great Wave


Great Loss

         

The sand held hints of the lives lost, strands of wire, coins, and jewels buried deep. Treasure hunters with metal detectors crisscrossed the beach. Devoid of its former glory. Only the palms stood tall. The resort was gone, and its entire population too.        

A breezy summer morning determined to be a blistering sweltering day had turned apocalyptic. A rogue wave forty stories high hit the coast. And, in the blink of an eye, everything disappeared. Mom and Dad had planned their retirement for years but barely had the chance to enjoy the fruits of their labor before nature heartlessly rebelled.

   Photo by Darice de Cuba on Unsplash


100 words

Yolanda Renée © 2021

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Thank you for reading my short flash submission for WEP's Great Wave Challenge. 

I hope you'll follow the links below to read more entries from a group of talented artists who've interpreted this monumental work of art in more magical and brilliant ways.


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53 comments:

  1. Denise Covey June 16, 2021 at 1:13 AM

    Oh boy, you pack a mighty punch in few words. Here's to all the Mums and Dads, families, who've been buried in great waves over time. :-(

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    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 16, 2021 at 11:56 PM

      Waves come in many forms, as I'm learning during this challenge. Amazing entries! Starting with yours!

      Delete
  2. Elephant's ChildJune 16, 2021 at 2:08 AM

    Thank you. As Denise says, there is one powerful punch here.

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 16, 2021 at 11:58 PM

      Thanks, Sue. I do hope you are feeling better. It's wonderful to see you visiting again!

      Delete
  3. Sanhita MukherjeeJune 16, 2021 at 2:37 AM

    Sad and sudden. Enjoyed.

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  4. KalpanaJune 16, 2021 at 3:37 AM

    Amazing how much you can say in 100 words. Hard hitting, like the wave I think. You're a born story teller.

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 17, 2021 at 12:06 AM

      I do love the challenge of 100 words as much as 1000 words. Thanks!

      Delete
  5. Natalie AguirreJune 16, 2021 at 7:19 AM

    I really enjoyed this. It's amazing on how much you told in so few words. Thanks for sharing it.

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  6. Jemi FraserJune 16, 2021 at 9:30 AM

    A heart punch! Well done

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  7. Pennie NicholsJune 16, 2021 at 11:07 AM

    Fabulously compact as as others are pointing out, your 100 words deliver a keen punch. Left me hungry for more of the stories that were washed away by the great wave.

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    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 17, 2021 at 12:10 AM

      Thanks, Pennie! Your words are most appreciated!

      Delete
  8. Olga GodimJune 16, 2021 at 1:12 PM

    Oh, no! Brief and impactful - a tragic story of nature rebelling against us. Nobody stands a chance against such great waves.

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 17, 2021 at 12:11 AM

      No, we don't. Very scary. Nature has a way for destruction! But so does man!

      Delete
  9. Lenny LeeJune 16, 2021 at 3:15 PM

    Wow! You hit me right in the heart. You've told the story of so many people in so few words. Amazing piece of writing. Thanks for such a great read.

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  10. N. R. WilliamsJune 16, 2021 at 3:51 PM

    Hi Yolanda
    So sad. And also shocking for those who learn of it after the fact. Short, sweet and well written.
    Nancy

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    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 17, 2021 at 12:19 AM

      Thanks, Nancy! I cheated and used an old flash. Trying to finish two books, so little time for new material. Shh...don't tell!

      Delete
  11. L.G. KeltnerJune 16, 2021 at 5:45 PM

    It's amazing how you packed such heartache into so few words. Nature can be astonishing in its power.

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  12. Steph W.June 16, 2021 at 8:58 PM

    Yikes! That hits right in the retirement account! Although, if I had to choose a way to go, a beach vacation is not the worst possibility. I have a strange inner hate for those treasure hunters, though.

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 17, 2021 at 12:25 AM

      LOL, me too! And yes, it describes my retirement to a T! LOL

      Delete
  13. Rebecca M. DouglassJune 17, 2021 at 12:04 AM

    Ouch. Tragedy in just a few short words.

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  14. Nilanjana BoseJune 17, 2021 at 4:38 AM

    That was like a gut punch! Tragedy on an epic scale in just 100 words - kudos!

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  15. Hilary Melton-ButcherJune 17, 2021 at 5:03 AM

    Hi Yolanda - yes ... so true - life has its moments ... I am so glad I haven't experienced a tsunami ... excellent, frightening flash - yet true fiction.
    Good luck with finishing off the two books ... cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 18, 2021 at 10:22 PM

      Today was release day for one of the books. So why do I feel it's still unfinished?
      LOL
      Thanks, Hilary!

      Delete
  16. Pat GarciaJune 17, 2021 at 5:56 AM

    Hi,
    Very sad. At the crossroad of a new beginning that ends quickly with a Tsunami.
    Shalom aleichem

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  17. SallyJune 17, 2021 at 7:05 AM

    Wow!

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  18. UnknownJune 17, 2021 at 8:23 AM

    Dark and sad! Nature can be so merciless!
    - C J Austin

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 18, 2021 at 10:18 PM

      Sooo merciless! And the season is upon us. Thanks, C J!

      Delete
  19. Michael Di GesuJune 17, 2021 at 11:04 AM

    Hi Renee!

    Like the others say... WOW. SO much in so few words. I really loved the first paragraph!

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 20, 2021 at 8:19 AM

      Thanks, Michael! I appreciate your kind words!

      Delete
  20. Jemima PettJune 17, 2021 at 5:10 PM

    Short but strong. Like some people I know :) Good work.

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  21. EdixJune 17, 2021 at 5:43 PM

    I also thought "tsunami." Nice job

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 18, 2021 at 10:17 PM

      I tried to come up with something different, but I live on the coast, so it just went there. LOL

      Delete
  22. Sonia DograJune 18, 2021 at 12:19 AM

    My my! This thought often crosses my mind. Though in a different context. My husband has a transferable job. So we keep planning for when he shall retire. But there are unforseen circumstances always. I tell him today is the day. Loved your take.

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    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 18, 2021 at 10:16 PM

      Thanks, Sonia: We're semi-retired and while the threat is always there, that view is magnificent!

      Delete
  23. jackiebegueJune 18, 2021 at 11:16 PM

    I have known people who suffered loss from such a wave. Powerful! Thank you

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  24. Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost (Not Charlotte)June 19, 2021 at 1:50 AM

    A hard-hitting drabble embodying the truism "you don't get what you deserve, you get what you get." I appreciate how much power you packed into just 100 words.
    Your post is included in this week's Roost Recommendations. I share the Roost Recommendations posts on Twitter with readers looking for their next read.
    https://ornerybookemporium.blogspot.com/2021/06/roost-recommendations-15-june-2021.html

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    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 20, 2021 at 8:17 AM

      Thanks, Ornery! Appreciate the shout out and all the work you've gone too. Above and Beyond!

      Delete
  25. https://www.freedomandhope.de/blogJune 19, 2021 at 2:48 AM

    Great job, Yolanda! Only 100 words, but so much there. “ Devoid of its former glory. Only the palms stood tall.“ - such a sadness in these words.

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    Replies
    1. Yolanda RenéeJune 20, 2021 at 8:17 AM

      I love the limitations of 100 words. One of my favorite challenges!

      Delete
  26. Charlotte (MotherOwl)June 19, 2021 at 2:58 AM

    Carpe diem - a 100 words to say it all- but you did it.

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  27. cleemckenzieJune 20, 2021 at 5:07 PM

    Short and painfully sweet! Loved your first line:The sand held hints of the lives lost, strands of wire, coins, and jewels buried deep.

    ReplyDelete

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