Our gracious host, Rochelle, is asking us to get
creative in 100 words or less using the photo
seen below. Welcome to Friday Fictioneers
This is where the prompt took me.
She’d never believed in anything until the vertigo hit.
Looking up made the world tilt. Columns spiraling into ribs of light, stained glass bleeding color into white plaster. The dome floated, impossibly light for all that stone.
Her architect’s mind catalogued stress points and load-bearing arches, but something else stirred beneath the calculations. The way light pooled in the gallery’s curve. The rhythm of arch after arch, like a held breath.
Not faith, exactly. But standing in the center, turning slowly as the space wheeled overhead, she felt it: the pull of something carefully, deliberately built to lift you skyward.
NAR©2026
100 Words
This is “Vertigo” by U2
All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Dizzying!
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Yes! A very uncomfortable feeling. Thanks, Dawn.
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brilliant Nance! I loved it! ❤
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You’re so kind, CA. Thank you!
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Nancy, marvelously metaphysical. I love your song choice to go with it.
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Thanks very much, Li. U2 seemed like a good fit with that song.
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You are very welcome.
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Dear Nancy,
Given to occasional bouts of vertigo, I related to this piece on a personal level. Not the same as just being dizzy, is it? Mastrfully described.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle, I do not have vertigo but I’ve seen my sister-in-law suffer with it; it is debilitating and frightening, no matter how many times it happens. I’m pleased to know you can relate, but wish it wasn’t because of your bouts of vertigo! Thank you!
Shalom,
🕊️
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Fortunately they don’t happen often and are usually brief.
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Beautiful descriptions
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Thanks very much, Laurie.
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As a regular cathedral visitor, I can say I identify with the sentiments here.
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Thanks you, Sandra. I’m very pleased to know that. While awe-inspiring, cathedrals (and churches in general) always make me feel grounded.
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Very impressive, Nancy! And oh, U2… excellent.
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Thanks very much, Chris. U2 may have been the obvious soundtrack but it works!
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What a brilliant story, Nancy, to combine the vertigo with the often awe-inspiring architecture of religious buildings. These architects knew and know what they are doing.
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Thank you, Gabi. I do not have vertigo, but I honestly felt dizzy just looking at Jen’s photo. As inspiring as the structures are, they can definitely leave one with an overwhelming sensation. I appreciate your great comments.
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I love this!
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I’m so glad, Lisa. Faith and finding peace are deeply personal, different for each person. Thank you. ❤️
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whenever i’m inside a church and look above, i have to take a seat. it makes me feel grounded. 🙂
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That seems to be a very popular feeling, plaridel. I find myself at peace.
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Whenever I visit a cathedral, with those enormously high ceilings, I have to sit down to look up. Your description is perfect. For me, there is certainly a pull heavenward when in these grand places. 🙂
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The same with me, Brenda; these expansive ceilings can be overwhelming. I have experienced that heavenward pull many times. Thanks so much for your lovely comments.
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believing nothing, acknowledging anything..
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Sums it up nicely. Thanks, Dylan.
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Love how you captured the emotional pull so beautifully ❤️
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Thanks so much, Ange. I couldn’t look at the image for too long; it was making me dizzy! 🥴 ❤️
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Vertigo is no joke. You painted such wonderful word pictures. I could see the lifted skyward and feel it. She might be a building architect, but you were a word architect with this story.
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Thank you for a very lovely comment. My sister-in-law gets vertigo very badly and I know how debilitating it can be. I found myself getting dizzy just looking at the photo. I appreciate you stopping by.
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My friend suffers from debilitating vertigo – I do not envy her one bit. However, as expected, this writing is wonderful!
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My sister-in-law is in the same boat. Thank you, my friend; I’m glad you liked this one.
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Poor thing!
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I loved your description about the architecture built to spiritual dimensions, Nancy.
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Thanks very much, Jim. I can see why this might appeal to you.
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…and up you (verti)go
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Perfetto! Thanks, Ron
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Fantastic writing! Perfect song, too!
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Thanks, Lois. It was either a song about heaven or vertigo. U2 won!
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A great story in 100 words and an excellent song!
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Much appreciated, Esther. Thank you!
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I have vertigo- and just the thought of this makes me get a sick headache!
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Oofah! Sorry about that. This image had a dizzying effect on me also and I wrote from those feelings.
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Yes, you captured this well
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Thank you, Sarah. I’m glad you think so.
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Up, up and away. I like this, Nancy!
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Thanks, dear Keith! Much appreciated.
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We all need to be lifted skyward every now and again. Clevery written
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Thanks much, Neil. I absolutely agree with your thinking.
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Beautifully written Nancy.
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Much appreciated, dear Sadje.
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Most welcome dear sis
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Is it an emotional or spiritual pull ?
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I wonder if it can’t be both, Geeta. Thank you.
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I like how you created an emotional pull through the structure of the. building’s interior.
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I’m pleased to know you felt that emotional pull. Thank you, James.
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Under a dome of flawless white
Being elevated toward the uncorrupted light
A poet’s last moonlit playwright …
https://youtu.be/7-OfACE4ASQ
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Thank you for your lovely poem and this powerful soundtrack, dear Ivor. 🥰🎶
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You’re most welcome, and it was a version of their song ‘The Silence’ I hadn’t heard before 🎶😍
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The vertigo song was a fun ending and I liked how you ley us feel the pull of something that could “lift you skyward” 🙂
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Thank you, Yvette. I’m glad you enjoyed the story and the song. Faith is such a personal matter but one thing we can all agree on is everyone at one time or another needs a spiritual lift in life.
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🙂
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