Copyright Roger Bultot
The web was spun quietly, thoroughly. It was a life’s work.
Softly, unobtrusively, the lacy filaments bound us together, and crucially, to her. No-one moved without some high frequency harmonic resonating amongst all of us; what happened to one, happened to all.
Were we happy? How could we not be?
But when the centre of our existence was lured away, we dispersed with unseemly urgency… and, it seemed, relief.
Abandoned, she returned to find herself abandoned yet again.
We get together, from time to time. She attempts to spin again.
But we each have our own webs to tend.
A happy and creative New Year to all Friday Fictioneers writers, wherever they may be. And grateful thanks to Rochelle, our leader, for her dedication and patience. Not a very inspired start to the year from me, but it can only get better… I hope.
castelsarrasin 
…You weave a fine tale!
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Thank you, Martin. Happy New Year!
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Lovely, magical and sad, Sandra
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Thank you Neil. 🙂
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Such a beautifully weaved tale. I love the moment they disperse and feel abandonment and relief. Lovely.
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Thank you for reading. 🙂
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Fine writing Sandra, which gave me some interesting ideas.
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I love it when I get some inspiration from other pieces. Thanks for reading, Michael.
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Dear Sandra,
You upped the bar on the old saying, “Oh what tangled webs we weave…” I can liken your “she” to a Narcissistic “he” whose web I was once caught in. That last line…we each have our own webs to attend. Brilliant as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I started it with the intention of it being about a mother and her brood, and then took out some references so it could apply to any group of ‘friends’ and family. Thanks for reading Rochelle, and for doing what you do.
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I like the sadness that permeates this piece. The rhythm of the sentences adds to the feeling. Well done.
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I’m a great believer that a short piece needs ‘rhythm’. After all the editing, re-editing, the last check/embellishment is the ‘rhythm’ check/embellishment. It was a tad too sad for me, but I could bring nothing else to mind once I’d written this.
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that is a surreal tale..weaving with words.. liked it
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Thank you, Balaka. 🙂
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Wonderful indeed.
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Many thanks for reading.
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The “queen” and the “hive” seem somewhat fluid.
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Fluid dynamics! 🙂
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Lovely!!
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Thank you, Jennifer.
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The metaphor for human relations is apt, especially at this time of year. Nicely done Sandra.
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Thanks Iain.
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What a clever story – it describes exactly what happens when one part of a cohesive group departs. Having recently returned from fifteen years abroad, I know how it feels to have to re-introduce myself.
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I’ve often wondered how well you’ve settled since returning from Tenerife. When we returned from Spain there was much to be glad about, but picking up the social circuit again was difficult, particularly as we returned to a different town.
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You’ve written this beautifully, Sandra. The quiet, patient weaving of the web, its maintenance through the high frequency tremors, the soft but tenacious bonds – and then the dispersion of the group when the queen abandons her role. Your gentle words and phrases convey this really well.
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Thank you Penny, glad you liked it.
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I cannot help but wonder what the hell you produce when you’re inspired! This was beautifully done, Miss Sandra!
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I almost didn’t use this, Dale. I didn’t like the ‘voice’ in it one bit, but sometimes I think that’s a function of your mood at the time. I was in more of a droll, upbeat mood and this sounded way too ‘flowery’ for me at this point in time. But I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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I do understand. It’s funny how that happens. Mood plays such a huge role! Yeah, I know, you don’t do flowery! 😉
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A lovely lyrical tale. You’ve woven an apt piece depicting the bonds keeping us together, the breaking of them and the difficulty in re-establishing them. Beautiful.
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Thank you, Irene, glad you liked it.
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Its beautiful with so many meanings.
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Thank you, Lata.
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Such beautiful writing. And so true.
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Many thanks, glad you liked it.
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A beautifully spun metaphoric tale.😊
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Thanks, Vivian. 🙂
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😊
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Lovely! I saw it as a family going their own way once the mother left to be with someone else (or died).
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That was the way I intended it to be, as that’s another short story-line I’m exploring, but then I decided to widen it out so it could be both friends and family. Thanks for reading.
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What an intricate web have you woven. Excellent, Sandra.
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Thank you Neel.
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Brilliant, Sandra, absolutely brilliant.
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Many thanks, Moon. 🙂
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Brilliant allegorical tale. Brought a mother and her kids to mind. Webs entrap us but give us a sense of security as well.
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Indeed they do. Thanks for reading.
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I liked that this could be taken literally, that she could be a giant spider at the centre of a web, or figuratively, a control Mum, perhaps, keeping close look out on her offspring. How quickly they dessert her! Great story
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Thanks Lynn, glad you liked it.
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My pleasure 🙂
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I can only repeat what others have said – beautifully written.
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Thank you, Clare.
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We do indeed have our own webs to tend.
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Some more than others. 🙂
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What Clare said. This is so beautiful. Creative, as always.
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Thank you!
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poetically poignant. well done.
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Thank you.
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Oh yes this is a really beautiful piece. I how it is as intricate as the web it speaks of and as complex as it’s weavers. Loved it!
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Thanks, Anna.
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Wow great story Sandra. I’ve felt like this with friends…you try to hold on but everyone grows wings and flies away eventually
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Yes, it can be difficult both making the break and letting go. Thanks for reading, Laurie.
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An intersting analogy. She was abandoned again and again. The problem is obvious her–not us.
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Thanks for reading, Russell.
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This makes me think of relationships, friendships really, whose seasons are over. Every now and then we try to get together, make a plan, but it’s never quite the same. It seems we have spun off in different directions.
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Yes, knowing when it’s over is an elusive skill, I think. Thanks for reading, Dawn.
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Nice interpretation. I enjoyed reading it.
Mine: https://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2018/01/05/disappearing-act/
Scott
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Thanks, Scott.
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Much wisdom here. Being tethered to others seems like a great idea when we think in terms of family and friends. But bonding with a charismatic or manipulative person (boss, lover, guru) is more like submission. Your description of the simultaneous feelings of abandonment and relief is spot on.
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Sometimes you just have to invest too much in relationships, and it’s a relief when they’re over.
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Sandra, love this and feel it works on several levels, especially one with a drama queen who likes the world to ravel around her.
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Well, there are plenty of those about. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Sascha.
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I think the lateness of reading fell on me and my intended “revolve” rather than “ravel” although I guess that gives it a new spin. 🙂
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As some of us get older we see things differently. There are indeed some who can weave “webs”. Good writing as always, Sandra. Happy New Year 2018. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne, and a happy New Year to you too.
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A wonderful evocation of unhealthy relationships we can’t quite escape, until the lynchpin falls. Love it.
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Thanks Sarah Ann, and a happy new year to you.
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What a beautiful and poetic way to describe the hope and ultimate decline of a relationship. I love the words you select, Sandra.
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Thanks Jan. Relationships have their season, I think.
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An insightful look into the power (good and bad) of relationships. Well done
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Thank you Susan.
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Particularly liked the line ‘she attempts to spin again’. Like Rochelle, I initially thought it was familial but it seemed to mutate as I read – really liked that.
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Thanks Rachel, glad you liked it.
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Expertly woven, Sandra.
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What a wonderful way of looking at a controlling relationship.
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Beautifully written and sustained throughout Sandra. It put me in mind of families and communities growing up safe and content with each other but eventually, horizons have to be widened and individuals have to follow their own paths, outsiders must be let in and the outside explored
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Love the gentle reflective tone of your story, and the imagery of webs forming and dissolving – I find that insightful.
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