Written for Melissa’s Fandango
Flash Fiction Challenge – #330.
Here’s where the photo took me.
Why
did you
deceive me
with hurtful lies,
broken promises
and empty vows of love?
I gave you my heart to hold
and you gave me paper roses.
I’d rather be blind than see your face
or hear your imitation words of love.
NAR©2025
#MFFFC
This is “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Love the Etta James song! And your response to the prompt. Deception is oh-so-hurtful.
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Such a raw and powerful statement in her song. It’s amazing! I agree … to be deceived causes unspeakable pain. Thank you, Melissa.
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A very touching poem.
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Thank you, my dear friend. Thank means a lot to me.
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Always my pleasure 💕
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How do you do it, Nancy? Amazing.
As for the song, I love it – it’s on my playlist and I listen to it often.
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Moved by your comments/compliments, dear Keith. I simply write from my heart.
Etta is brilliant; this song is so honest and raw. Sure beats the hell out of “Paper Roses” by Anita Bryant!
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Lies and love
Boil over, like
Molten lava
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Kaz is amazing and that sax player’s got it going on. Thank you, dear Ivor.
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Yes, I love Katz’s music and emotional voice. She’s a wonderful Irish blues singer 🎶🌏😍
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Wonderful poem!
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Thanks very much, Lisa.
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Nicely done, Nancy. I struggled with this one, but your words flowed so naturally onto the page. You are a star.
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What a lovely comment, Fan! I’m moved by them. Thank you.
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Fantastic poem, Nancy! Love it!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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My great pleasure, Yvette! Thanks very much for reading and commenting.
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this was my first thought- https://youtu.be/VDF1shlSykU?si=Oro6UoCRUSefulcd
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That was my first video choice, too! Then I remembered Etta’s song. No offense to Anita Bryant but I just had to go with Etta. 🌹
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Now, for no good reason, the title sent me to a fantabulous old movie called Imitation of Life – the brain and all that.
So, all that to say, wonderfully done and Etta James has a special place in my heart.
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You did that for a very good reason! I almost named my poem Imitation of Life because of that movie. I think that was the first movie I saw that made me bawl my eyes out. I was only like 12 and I never forgot it.
I love Etta, too. She gets in your heart, blood and soul.
Grazie, mia cara sorella!
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Great minds! Bawled and bawled and even when I rewatched it, I bawled ahead of time! And Mahalia Jackson, when she sings at the funeral? I have goosebumps just thinking about it.
Etta – our wedding dance was “At Last”…
Sempre amica mia!
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Oh, girlfriend! I’m bawling just reading that comment!
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I completely get it!
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This is so good Sis 💜💜💜
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Thanks so much, Sis! ♡
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oh ouch!!! mee too!!! great song pair, Nancy! 🙌🏽
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Thanks, Cindy! First thing I thought of.
PS – I can’t jump but I’m doing your revised heel lifts! 😉
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