Time for another entry in Friday Fictioneers challenge, courtesy of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. If you want to give it a try, check the info on her blog. 100 words more or less, inspired by a photo, here we go….
Copyright – David Stewart
I was born on September 20th, eighty-seven years ago. Mama would often say I was the last gift of summer. I never quite understood what she meant, until I got older and watched my summers grow shorter every year.
These days, the winter winds rattle my bones, reminding me to breathe. I watch the weather vane spin, never quite stopping, pointing in a dozen different directions.
It’s like watching my life. Always spinning, never settling down, aimless wanderer by choice.
And finally, I remembered to ask: Which way is home?
The observation how summer turns shorter and shorter.. This I found such a poignant observation… Really once it’s time to ask, you find it’s too late..
This is such an emotional story, but I can’t really put my finger on why; the fact that time passes without us realizing? Life is short? The story seems to be saying more than that though.
Very thought-provoking piece. Well told.
Another excellent story. I agree with Bjorn – the shorter summers as you age is a beautiful way of expressing your profound observation.
Nicely done.
KT
The weather vane represents the narrator’s life. It tells me, when we become old enough to know what questions to ask, it is often too late. Those who we need to hear the answers from have already passed away. This is excellent!
This is fantastic, Loré! The sense of time passing and age are tied together perfectly, and the mood of the piece resonates. It’s not just the telling, but the feel of the passing of time that I get in this story… loved it.
I think you’re missing the word “a” just before “dozen different directions.”
“….reminding me to breathe.” One of the best this week, or ever, here on the pages of Friday Fictioneers. I loved that line in particular and I love the story in its entirety. Very nicely rendered. (Thanks for the music, too. One of my favorite movies.)
Dear Doug,
Your kind words always leave me speechless. When I create something, I can only hope that someone will connect with it and recognize what lies beneath. Your support means the world to this hungry soul. Thank you.
Ah! The passage of time how it leaves us behind. It reminded me of those line by Tennyson
“Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath,
And after many a summer dies the swan.”
Snow's Fissures and Fractures 
Profound….Nice take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much appreciated, thank you.
LikeLike
I agree with that comment up there, the story is really profound. I find fascinating how you managed to do that in just a 100 words. Great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes it is easier to express one’s emotions in fewer words. Thank you for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very unique and interesting take on the prompt. The music from Oblivion fits in perfectly with it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Francesca.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The observation how summer turns shorter and shorter.. This I found such a poignant observation… Really once it’s time to ask, you find it’s too late..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Regrets, I had them few…thank you, as always.
LikeLike
This is such an emotional story, but I can’t really put my finger on why; the fact that time passes without us realizing? Life is short? The story seems to be saying more than that though.
Very thought-provoking piece. Well told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You guessed it, there is much more to this story. Save for the age of the protagonist, there are many parts close to my heart.
LikeLike
Another excellent story. I agree with Bjorn – the shorter summers as you age is a beautiful way of expressing your profound observation.
Nicely done.
KT
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I am happy it came clear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good question!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too many lost souls wandering this world.
LikeLike
Lovely, and I found it quite sad. I liked the line about summers growing shorter as your narrator ages.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, this story started as something completely different and ended in this way.
LikeLike
Dear Loré,
A lot of emotion and life layered in this piece. Very nice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rochelle.
LikeLike
You’ve built a very wistful and nostalgic mood. It’s sad that your narrator ends up alone and lost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is sad. But that’s how it goes, sometimes. You reap what you sow. Thank you, Margaret.
LikeLike
The weather vane represents the narrator’s life. It tells me, when we become old enough to know what questions to ask, it is often too late. Those who we need to hear the answers from have already passed away. This is excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You perfectly encompassed everything I was trying to say. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the focus on the weather vane in the picture, and the comparison of life to seasons. Very poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was searching for something not too obvious in this week’s prompt. Glad you liked it, much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful piece with a pervading sense of melancholy. I love the line about summers growing shorter as you age. Really well done. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, that line just came out of nowhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is fantastic, Loré! The sense of time passing and age are tied together perfectly, and the mood of the piece resonates. It’s not just the telling, but the feel of the passing of time that I get in this story… loved it.
I think you’re missing the word “a” just before “dozen different directions.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, your kind words mean a lot.
I wonder where did that “a” ran away? Tnx! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your 100 words felt like a novel. In a good way. 🙂
My favorite flash fiction today.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that is so kind of you!
LikeLike
Dear Lore, Wonderful story and really brings home the word “mortality” to me. Good job and very thought provoking! Nan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Nan. I admire your care and the time you take each week to visit so many of us. It is truly appreciated.
LikeLike
Such a sad feeling, “no one here to answer.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad indeed and the prosepct for so many. Thank you.
LikeLike
wow!! Such a well told and poignant story. You nailed it and so succinctly Lore!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, I learned a new word today. 🙂 Thank you, I am happy you liked my little tale.
LikeLike
I did!! 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Lore,
“….reminding me to breathe.” One of the best this week, or ever, here on the pages of Friday Fictioneers. I loved that line in particular and I love the story in its entirety. Very nicely rendered. (Thanks for the music, too. One of my favorite movies.)
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Doug,
Your kind words always leave me speechless. When I create something, I can only hope that someone will connect with it and recognize what lies beneath. Your support means the world to this hungry soul. Thank you.
LikeLike
This a beautiful emotionally filled piece, really touched my heart. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I am happy to hear that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah! The passage of time how it leaves us behind. It reminded me of those line by Tennyson
“Man comes and tills the field and lies beneath,
And after many a summer dies the swan.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing those beautiful lines.
LikeLike