Grandma's Goulash graciously hosts Succinctly Yours, the wonderful meme for those of us addicted to microfiction. The trick is to write a story in 140 characters or less using the photo below as inspiration. To add to the challenge is the word of the week, "saturate."
I know many of you look forward to visiting Writing in the Buff on Mondays for a morning chuckle. This week's photo struck a different chord in me. I hope you won't be disappointed with the serious tone of today's offering. My stories are below.
Old Friends: Melodious Memories
(105 characters)
The city’s clamor saturated the air, but the old friends heard only the sweet melody of distant memories.
* * * *
Old Friends: Colorful Memories
(134 characters)
Winter’s sky, saturated with sunset, reminded the old friends of their colorful past. “How terribly strange,” they agreed, “to be 70.”
You may recognize the above quote from the lyrics of "Old Friends," recorded by Simon and Garfunkel in 1968 for their album "Bookends." I was a child when I first heard the song, but even then the poignancy of the melody and lyrics touched me.
For your enjoyment, click below for a live version of Simon and Garfunkel performing "Old Friends." The album, "Bookends," was released in 1968 when both men were 27-years-old. It is noteworthy that both Simon and Garfunkel will turn 71 this year, in October and November, respectively.
To read the microfiction stories of others participating in this meme, please click HERE.
Thanks for visiting! See you on Wednesday for the naked truth about . . . Memory Madness.
Have a great week--
Lisa
Lisa--I didn't even have to get to the second piece to be thrown back into the past. The title itself made me recall Simon and Garfunkle's song--a haunting and poignant one indeed. (They were one of my favorite groups, growing up.)
ReplyDeleteNo, no disappointment here. We never know what kind of inspiration we're going to get--sometimes humorous, sometimes serious, sometimes whacky.
The older I get, the less "strange" seventy seems...
Lovely contemplative pieces today. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteNice micro stories, Lisa ~~
ReplyDeleteRight now I would agree to be 70.
And yes, distant memories sometiems tend to overpower ones thinking.
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Both your micros resonate with me this morning! I esp. like the first one if I had to pick. Wonderful job. I am off and running today...you have a nice start to your own Monday here on this page. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteLisa this is a perfect post. Thank you! I have never heard that song before, that I remember.
ReplyDeleteHope your week is wonderful too,
Kathy M.
These are lovely!
ReplyDeleteTwo lovely and nostalgic stories. Thanks for the video. I loved Simon and Garfunkel and used to have most of their albums. When I was younger, I didn't find the last line (Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you.)strange at all. Now I find it rather sad. Age is no reason to stop making new memories.
ReplyDeleteLovely, poignant SY stories today, Lisa. I was 20 when the song came out. I loved it then and I still do. Jerry and I have a 2-disk set of Simon and Garfunkel songs (we don't have iPods) and listen to it occasionally when we're in the car. Thanks for providing the video--enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I think 70 today isn't as old as 70 was back in the '60s. A lot of 70-year-olds these days are active and busy. My father-in-law is 88 now, but when he was 70 he was globetrotting. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat microfictions as always! 70 will be here before I know it!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved these guys. First because they were so cute, when they were young and so was I, and now because we grew up and grew old "together" and I think of them as old friends.
ReplyDeletePerfect, Lisa. Thanks so much for the video.
K
Always enjoy reading your microfiction. What a great exercise. I really need to give it a try. Now that I think of it, my teen students would probably like it too. Thanks for the inspiration! :)
ReplyDeleteSweet memory of S & G. Hard to believe they've passed the seven decade mark!
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
loved your takes this week as well. old friends are wonderful! and hope i can sit with an old friend at 70 and recall the wonderful memories too!
ReplyDeleteI loved both poignant takes on this weeks picture Lisa - wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAck! Can't believe I almost missed these in the hectic week! I love the gently reminiscent tone of each. Beautiful work as usual.
ReplyDeleteHi Lish, again ~~ Somehow I missed Simon and Garfunkel before. When they were singing I was riding my motorcycle from park to park here in Houston listening to the various bands under the trees in the parks.
ReplyDeleteOr heading downtown to join the groups hanging out on the loading docks after hours or down by Buffalo Bayou's banks.
I had collar length or longer hair too and was single for the second time in my life. Also a couple of years older than S&G.
Big fun! Thank you again for the memories.
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BTW, I have a Beatles video on my Rocky Racoon post.
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I have some happy memories of listening to Simon and Garfunkel with my parents. Your microfic is surprisingly poignant today, Lisa. Really lovely!
ReplyDeleteI must be having a senior moment. Did you write those microfictions for last week? Not that I didn't enjoy reading them again...just doing a sanity check.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley