People gathered together, forming eccentric circles that looked like a bouquet of flowers from above.
Perhaps you're wondering why so many people are gathered together, circling imaginary centers. But that's how people usually get together, they need something to unite them, like bouquets of flowers. Nobody makes a bouquet without something worthy of celebration, remembrance or regret.
That day, people heard about something from outer space. They weren't quite sure what it was yet. But to believe is to see, and everyone gathered there believed that they were going to be part of this story that you are now reading,
Squatting, Janet adjusted the flower girl's basket, then moved on to the bridesmaids, gripping shoulders nested in damp lace, angling them towards the camera.
"Janet," Helen said, her voice edging towards shrill. "I think the photographer's assistant can manage that."
She wondered what Janet's head would look like on top of the cake.
Janet stood and smoothed her skirts. She turned to Helen and smiled at her, madness in her eyes.
The flower girl looked back and forth between them, as if she were waiting for the signal to run. Helen composed herself. She faced the wedding party, wilting in silk and taffeta.
It was a beautiful sunny day. She was wearing her favourite floral print dress. She was smiling at the sky, the birds singing, the emerging daffodils and crocuses.
Suddenly a good-looking stranger rushed up to her and thrust a bouquet of flowers into her hand.
She smiled at him.
He smiled back.
“When a man you've never met gives you flowers that's impulse,” her invisible fairy godmother, seated on her right shoulder, whispered into her ear. “Grasp the opportunity”.
He stood, holding the glass out, swishing the wine around and holding it up to the light. He was watching the wine slide back down the sides of the glass. He held it to his nose and inhaled it.
“Do I smell leather in there?” he asked. “A burnt…like…smokey oak?”
“Oak barrels, charred; then it sits for another eighteen months.”
“How much?” he asked.
“How much do you want?”
“I only want six. I don’t have a lot of room left on my shelves. I love the bouquet.”
When I tossed the bouquet, I aimed it directly at Sophie, my oldest bridesmaid who joked about being single forever. I will never forget the look of astonished joy on her face as she grabbed the white roses and beamed at George, the out-of-her-league best man.
Who'd have thought those two would be sending us postcards from their honeymoon in Bali? I like to think it was all my doing!
Five years later: Sophie's divorced, broke, miserable, crying to me about what a bastard George is. Is this chain of events somehow all my fault?
Everyone attending the outdoor wedding and reception agreed that the location on a hilltop overlooking a working farm was inspired. The reception was in a rustic converted barn. Having the farm animals around enthralled the city slickers who were able to pet and feed until their hearts were content. Even the beautiful bouquet from the flower beds was not overpowering but subtle in its blended fragrances.
When the wind changed direction, reflecting the realities of a working farm, the newly pungent bouquet became insufferable. All the guests fled, with drinks, into the air conditioned building, hoping the air filters worked.
Elizabeth wanted to get married in a garden. There would be no cut flowers to wilt and decay. She wanted her wedding to be alive and fragrant with blossoms that would bloom year after year, just as the marriage would. Leo didn't care where the wedding would be; he wanted the marriage that came after.
The wedding was in May. The rose garden blazed in color and fragrance, just as she had dreamed. Elizabeth walked down the aisle without a bouquet. Instead, she carried a small bag of wildflower seeds to represent the garden she and Leo would cultivate together.
A cellophane bouquet and sign appears.” mixed bokays “. Every day I pass. I work data entry, one man and 10 women in cubicles. We sneeze, tissues, replace tears. Deadlines must meet.
Another temporary. My eyes meet Lonnie’s, I offer to input, get closer to computer. wok’s done. Walk her to car. “lunch Friday?.” Lonnie agrees.” I’m a dancer, but boss skipped town. Boyfriend left for Vegas, I got pregnant. Aborted. I left note see you never. Entertained a man a month; beaten.”
I listened. Cell rang.” Agent, another gig..”
Actions speak loud. Love’s a mystery. Bouquet sign gone.. another replacement. Antonia’s her name.
I really liked this one! I know my husband loves me, but he hates Valentine's day with a passion. He says that it's a fake holiday created by big businesses to guilt people into buying stuff for their loved ones.... and I admit he's not wrong. I used to be sad about not celebrating it when we first married, but 43 years in, I've learned that it's the things people do everyday that matter. People can't treat each other like crap for most of the year and then expect to make up for it with a big bouquet or whatever on Valentine's day. Whatever...
One creepy thing about this prompt... my browser spies on me, and now I'm getting advertisements for bouquets on the bottom of my email program and Google searches! No, I'm not paranoid (well, maybe not TOO paranoid), because this happens all the time with other stuff I've done on the computer - anything from plants to mealworms to chicken diseases and pretty much anything I've just LOOKED at on Amazon. I'm beginning to rant, I think I need to go sit in a corner until I calm down... 🤯
Google Assistant keeps popping up on my screen from time to time. Once I saw that part of my current conversation had been typed up. I hate modern computers sometimes.
Although it's nice to have a special day set aside for these things, you can be romantic all year round and do nice things for each other. In a lot of ways, it's more unexpected on those other days, too, and a fun little surprise, which can be even more romantic... 😎
A lot of it is overpriced, for sure, but I'm definitely a big fan of getting a card and some chocolates. Especially as it's a good excuse for me to eat some, too! Haha... 😎
The flowers are on my desk when I arrive to work. My coworker, Lydia, stands beside them, admiring the bouquet.
“Seems you have a secret admirer,” She practically sings out and my frown deepens as she walks past me and down the hall.
Eyeing the flowers, I slowly take my seat, reaching for the note attached.
'Adrienne, my darling, I hate that your presentation wasn't as good as mine. Hope these make up for your loss.'
-C
I look up from the note, finding him in his office, ignoring me as he takes a phone call.
“That son of a-”
My 100 words of a Bouquet
------------------------------
People gathered together, forming eccentric circles that looked like a bouquet of flowers from above.
Perhaps you're wondering why so many people are gathered together, circling imaginary centers. But that's how people usually get together, they need something to unite them, like bouquets of flowers. Nobody makes a bouquet without something worthy of celebration, remembrance or regret.
That day, people heard about something from outer space. They weren't quite sure what it was yet. But to believe is to see, and everyone gathered there believed that they were going to be part of this story that you are now reading,
PROMPT: BOUQUET
THE BOUQUET
We were bought as a birthday gift.
Two days late.
We were refused, and dropped in a bin.
A passing stranger retrieved us, and wept for his lost love, while placing us on her grave.
We were honoured to be there.
Until we were stolen shortly afterwards, by a desperate man, hoping to apologise for his latest affair.
The apology was not accepted.
And we were hurled off a balcony.
Two young girls found us, and we ended up being used as colourful poohsticks in the river.
Which we were thrilled about.
Because we’d been gasping for water all day… 💐😎💐
Shit, now I'm reading everyone else's and they're sweet and romantic. Sorry people! Happiness? Love? Valentines Day? BAH! HUMBUG! Just kidding. Happy VD everyone.
Squatting, Janet adjusted the flower girl's basket, then moved on to the bridesmaids, gripping shoulders nested in damp lace, angling them towards the camera.
"Janet," Helen said, her voice edging towards shrill. "I think the photographer's assistant can manage that."
She wondered what Janet's head would look like on top of the cake.
Janet stood and smoothed her skirts. She turned to Helen and smiled at her, madness in her eyes.
The flower girl looked back and forth between them, as if she were waiting for the signal to run. Helen composed herself. She faced the wedding party, wilting in silk and taffeta.
"Smile," said the photographer.
She threw the bouquet.
Thanks for all the likes. I enjoy doing these!
After reading Leigh's Hyacinth Bouquet, old British humour, piece I was led to write this from an old British deodorant ad
=========================================================
It was a beautiful sunny day. She was wearing her favourite floral print dress. She was smiling at the sky, the birds singing, the emerging daffodils and crocuses.
Suddenly a good-looking stranger rushed up to her and thrust a bouquet of flowers into her hand.
She smiled at him.
He smiled back.
“When a man you've never met gives you flowers that's impulse,” her invisible fairy godmother, seated on her right shoulder, whispered into her ear. “Grasp the opportunity”.
Oh my lord, I remember that one!
Never longer than 48 hours though. Get out after that.
Yeah, if a guy picks me because he likes the smell of my deodorant, there's a good chance that he's definitely a mite shallow.
Hahahahaha!
I know, I know. I'm late. So here it is.
He stood, holding the glass out, swishing the wine around and holding it up to the light. He was watching the wine slide back down the sides of the glass. He held it to his nose and inhaled it.
“Do I smell leather in there?” he asked. “A burnt…like…smokey oak?”
“Oak barrels, charred; then it sits for another eighteen months.”
“How much?” he asked.
“How much do you want?”
“I only want six. I don’t have a lot of room left on my shelves. I love the bouquet.”
“The grapes are grown on the side of a volcano.”
There's never late with us :)
Microdosing Fiction - 100mg of a Bouquet
===
‘Has the victim woken up?’
‘No. The lab said they couldn’t find anything relevant from the toiletries.’
The lead detective stared at the crime scene’s photos – a bathtub filled with poisonous white-ish bathwater.
The victim managed to whisper one word to the paramedic: valentine.
He read the building’s visitors list. All were accounted for: dozens of bouquet deliveries for the V-day.
He picked up one photo. A basket full of rose stems, and a few bulbs scattered on the floor. Too few bulbs.
He dialled the lab.
‘Could you run the tests on those white rosebuds from the bathroom?’
BOUQUET (100)
When I tossed the bouquet, I aimed it directly at Sophie, my oldest bridesmaid who joked about being single forever. I will never forget the look of astonished joy on her face as she grabbed the white roses and beamed at George, the out-of-her-league best man.
Who'd have thought those two would be sending us postcards from their honeymoon in Bali? I like to think it was all my doing!
Five years later: Sophie's divorced, broke, miserable, crying to me about what a bastard George is. Is this chain of events somehow all my fault?
I like that. Not the end but the thinking oneself responsible by doing a superstitious act. And happy with the good outcome not so with the bad.
100mg of a Bouquet
A bouquet of memories lingers in my glass,
soft as raspberry whispers, bold as a sunlit kiss.
A Palatine rosé, born of Pinot Noir’s grace,
St. Laurent’s quiet depth, Dornfelder’s embrace.
The terroir sings—salt-laced Atlantic winds,
a South African warmth that hums on my tongue.
Snow falls beyond the window, yet summer lingers here,
a sip of Travigne Rosé, a fleeting 2001 dream.
Time decants itself in petals and vines,
each drop a story, each note a place.
The world outside is winter,
but in this glass, the sun still shines.
"But in this glass, the sun still shines." That is an incredible ending, that captures so much in just one line... 😎
Thank you Chris. Your comment means truly a lot to me.
Everyone attending the outdoor wedding and reception agreed that the location on a hilltop overlooking a working farm was inspired. The reception was in a rustic converted barn. Having the farm animals around enthralled the city slickers who were able to pet and feed until their hearts were content. Even the beautiful bouquet from the flower beds was not overpowering but subtle in its blended fragrances.
When the wind changed direction, reflecting the realities of a working farm, the newly pungent bouquet became insufferable. All the guests fled, with drinks, into the air conditioned building, hoping the air filters worked.
Haha! Very nice... 😎
The flowers need something to eat, too. 😂
Elizabeth wanted to get married in a garden. There would be no cut flowers to wilt and decay. She wanted her wedding to be alive and fragrant with blossoms that would bloom year after year, just as the marriage would. Leo didn't care where the wedding would be; he wanted the marriage that came after.
The wedding was in May. The rose garden blazed in color and fragrance, just as she had dreamed. Elizabeth walked down the aisle without a bouquet. Instead, she carried a small bag of wildflower seeds to represent the garden she and Leo would cultivate together.
That is a sweet idea!
Kinda wish I had thought of it 38 years ago!!!
You can use it for an anniversary.
Breathless:
I was so excited to see him after a week apart that felt like a year?
But now he’s framed against the lapis blue sky, giggling at me. Head thrown back, he’s roaring with laughter.
How could he? He knows. I told him often enough. I don’t do flowers on Valentine’s. Insisted, I did.
No flowers.
Meet me in the Park, he said. It’ll be special, he whispered down the phone.
I fell for it, ran towards my love.
Now he’s laughing and I’m breathless.
It’s no joke, I want to say.
But the pollen, I’m allergic. No fucking flowers!
Dude, chocolate doesn't have pollen, and it tastes better! 😂
I’ll have to save my dark chocolate tale for a future prompt … Happy Valentine’s!
Looking forward to it. Happy Valentine's to you, too!
100 bouquets
A cellophane bouquet and sign appears.” mixed bokays “. Every day I pass. I work data entry, one man and 10 women in cubicles. We sneeze, tissues, replace tears. Deadlines must meet.
Another temporary. My eyes meet Lonnie’s, I offer to input, get closer to computer. wok’s done. Walk her to car. “lunch Friday?.” Lonnie agrees.” I’m a dancer, but boss skipped town. Boyfriend left for Vegas, I got pregnant. Aborted. I left note see you never. Entertained a man a month; beaten.”
I listened. Cell rang.” Agent, another gig..”
Actions speak loud. Love’s a mystery. Bouquet sign gone.. another replacement. Antonia’s her name.
I really liked this one! I know my husband loves me, but he hates Valentine's day with a passion. He says that it's a fake holiday created by big businesses to guilt people into buying stuff for their loved ones.... and I admit he's not wrong. I used to be sad about not celebrating it when we first married, but 43 years in, I've learned that it's the things people do everyday that matter. People can't treat each other like crap for most of the year and then expect to make up for it with a big bouquet or whatever on Valentine's day. Whatever...
One creepy thing about this prompt... my browser spies on me, and now I'm getting advertisements for bouquets on the bottom of my email program and Google searches! No, I'm not paranoid (well, maybe not TOO paranoid), because this happens all the time with other stuff I've done on the computer - anything from plants to mealworms to chicken diseases and pretty much anything I've just LOOKED at on Amazon. I'm beginning to rant, I think I need to go sit in a corner until I calm down... 🤯
I'm a bit like your husband and think it is just commercial clap trap. I'm more for the surprise treat in the year, or just the being nice every day.
I am also paranoid about how much google hears when I'm speaking as well. Too often I can have talked about something and it is on my feed!!!
Google Assistant keeps popping up on my screen from time to time. Once I saw that part of my current conversation had been typed up. I hate modern computers sometimes.
Oh my goodness. That's scary
Although it's nice to have a special day set aside for these things, you can be romantic all year round and do nice things for each other. In a lot of ways, it's more unexpected on those other days, too, and a fun little surprise, which can be even more romantic... 😎
You think like my hubby! 😎
A lot of it is overpriced, for sure, but I'm definitely a big fan of getting a card and some chocolates. Especially as it's a good excuse for me to eat some, too! Haha... 😎