Never Broken
She stands alone on the cliff, bare feet gripping the stone ledge. Clouds, angry with rain, churn above her. A blackening storm feeds their chaos, hurtling them towards one another with thunderous force. Lightening crashes down mere feet away, splitting stone, launching shards into the roiling sea pounding against the foot of the cliff. The waves devour the meager offering and rise again, demanding more.
She swallows the salt on her tongue as the clouds release their fury. Frigid drops pelt her skin, setting her nerves aflame. The wind joins the ruckus, twisting the salt and rain, flinging it sideways against her body. Gathering strength, it whips sand and stone and twigs, stinging her eyes, ripping her flesh. It compresses the rage of the storm and sea and slams into her with unrelenting strength. Her feet grip tighter, her body sways, her back bends to its will as it curves her spine to an unnatural degree. Her bones creak in protest to the unforgiving force. And still she bends.
It roars against her defiance, battering her flesh, sucking the breath from her lungs. And still she bends.
It is not the first storm to threaten her, and she knows deep in her soul it will not be the last. So she bends to its will, yielding just enough to survive.
She bends, but she’s never broken.
Woman against nature. Love the imagery in this.
Agreed. Very nice imagery, and I like the theme running through it.
Loved the closing of this. Very wild!
Very nice imagery, although towards the end she transformed from a woman into a tree for me, but that’s ok!
Thanks for the good read!
Lovely imagery in this piece. She knows the secret one has to bend a little in order to survive.
Like Elasti-Girl said, you’ve just got to be flexible!
Dug this, even if I couldn’t help being goofy, Danni.
Of all people, I will always forgive you for being a bit goofy.
Beautiful use of descriptive language again Danni. You have a wonderful way with words and skewing the world sideways so that the reader has to think. You also manage to build up layers of meaning and interpretation in a such a short piece.. well done you!
Thanks so much, Tom. I try to leave things open in my stories so that people in many different situations can relate to them. We all have to weather the storms of life in one way or another.
A wonderfully cinematic piece of fiction, the character does remind me more of a tree than anything else though to be honest but it works wonderfully for the readers imagination.
Well done Dani.
I love that you could see it so clearly, Gareth. Thanks so much for the comment.
an excellent and highly original execution of a familiar metaphor. when standing in tree pose in yoga we repeat the mantra, “I stand serene in the storm of life.” …so I wish for her more than withstanding. I wish for her serenity. x
Since we have no control over the storms, that’s the best we can wish for.
Terrific images. “Unbending as an oak” was a phrase invented by people not familiar with coastal trees.
Oh, Danni, that hits a little close to home right now. *hugs* It’s excellent.
“She bends, but she’s never broken.” Am keeping this in mind. Thank you.
As earthgirl said above, I hope you can find the serenity in your storm right now. *hugs*
Great as per usual. A very moving piece.
Great extended metaphor. I think the last line could be re-worked (the wording of it’s a bit off, for me) but the descriptions are wonderful
Fantastic imagery!
Wow, that was great. Really like the meaning behind it
Loved the active speech in this, the descriptives, so vivid and easy to feel, not just read. Wonderful. Forlorn. Survival and determination.
Striking imagery to show the strength of character and her resilience. Lovely.
Adam B @revhappiness
beautiful writing Danni, vivd and powerful.
^^ (Vivid) ^^
As previous commenters have said: a vivid, captivating description with depth in the metaphor.
This reminds me most of a track by Bjork, Hyper Ballad. Her lyrics describe a woman compelled to challenge herself each day at the top of a cliff-face, and confront her demons there so she can live normally for the rest of the day.
Beautiful, Danni. I’m so happy you’re back at flashing, lady
Thank you all for taking the time to read and comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece.
Very strong piece, and just what I needed to read right now. Glad to have you back!
Oh Danni, I loved this. I really felt it. I felt her, I’ve been her, all women have been her. Bending, never breaking. We take on the world everyday and somehow manage to survive it. You are such a gifted writer, so glad I found your words.
Beautiful, Danni. Simply beautiful.