Friday, March 25, 2011

#FridayFlash: I am Europa

(Written originally for Combatwords.)


I am Europa.


The bull stares at me from the other side of the fence, and I am transfixed. I've never seen a bull like this one, snow white despite lying in a rain-wet field churning with mud. The bull plods forward, his deep chest bumping against the rail. The damp wood flakes beneath my nails.


I am Europa, and this is my moment. The chance encounter which will change my life. All I have to do is grasp the horns.


The bull sticks his head over the fence, nostrils flaring as he inhales my scent. He's taller than I am, and the fence between us might as well be toothpicks. He sticks his nose in my face and I raise my hand, slow and easy. One toss of his head, and I won't even know what hit me. He snorts when I touch him, and his nose is velvet.


I am Europa, and this bull is my god. Zeus, Poseidon, Jehovah, Allah, Odin, Thor, or Amun-Ra. He leans into my touch, and I am blessed. I am alive. I am electric.


The bull lifts his head and meets my eyes. This is the moment. If I climb the fence, I can be his consort; I can be the queen of a foreign land.


The bull sneezes.


The fine mist of mucus is nothing to the spray of thick globs of gunk. I am coated in it, and my friend squeals beside me.


"Gross! Eww! C'mon, let's go. It's almost five, and your parents are coming."


I take my foot down off the fence and wipe my face on my sleeve.


Maybe I'm not Europa after all.

10 comments:

  1. Haha! That ending definitely caught me off guard, but in a good way.

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  2. Haha. Thanks both of you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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  3. Ok, that's what I thought--a revision. I thought, 'hmm, maybe I was just being a jerk and didn't read the piece fairly the 1st time.' Then I realized, no, this is a revision. You did such a great job with it--you kept the soul of the 1st draft, but smoothed the edges. Good choice on increasing psychic distance; less rhapsodic, but dry wit suits this comp really well imo.

    Play some Combatwords this weekend?

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  4. Thanks Khakjaan! at first I was like "What? OVERwritten? it is so short!" but you were totally right, and I'm glad that you pointed to it.

    I can't make any promises on the Combatwords front but don't worry, I have been checking back and I will definitely play again in the future, if not this weekend, then another!

    Thanks Keriann! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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  5. That is one clever young person. These days it's a miracle that kids know what europe is (and i'm talking about the ones who live in europe) let alone Europa.
    I loved this story, and the rapid change from dream to reality worked well.

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  6. I love the strength of the narrator's voice Amalia! Also I FEEL SO BAD THAT I AM MONTHS LATE with this praise because it is awesome!

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