Here we have lot number one-ninety-nine
Who she was, lost in the passage of time
Somebody’s mother?
A daughter, a lover?
Done! It’s yours Sir, but why do you cry?
More items from Tess's attic can be found at Magpie Tales.
Somehow, the idea of being auctioned off in a "lot" is sadder than even being for sale in some thrift store. I can just see a large group of people deciding, "not worth it" when the lot with the photo would come up to be bid on.
Staffor- so eloquently put.... I used to wonder why family photos would end up in a rummage sale or 2nd Hand shop. Now as I sift through all our "stuff" trying to winnow down all the boxes (really I am not exaggerating)and boxes of images and negatives. What do I do with all this? Do I really want to leave this for someone else to clean up? Should I just have a bonfire?
Stafford, I have a jar of sand that someone collected from the Pacific Ocean in 1952, and which I bought at an estate sale 2,000 miles from the ocean. I so much DIDN'T want that jar of sand that I went back to the sale a day later with the hope that someone else had bought it. No one had, so I paid my 15 cents, and have carried that jar around for 22 years now simply because I couldn't let the last remnant of a dead person's vacation end up in a landfill.
Somehow, the idea of being auctioned off in a "lot" is sadder than even being for sale in some thrift store. I can just see a large group of people deciding, "not worth it" when the lot with the photo would come up to be bid on.
ReplyDeleteIt's your editor calling ... don't forget the (s) after your.
ReplyDeleteI neglected to tell you how much I enjoyed this ... had a feeling reminiscent of "Phanthom Of The Opera."
ReplyDeleteLove this. I want to know why he cries. This week's has been a great prompt!
ReplyDeleteExcellent - love the way we are left to ponder the source of his tears (I'd like to think he knew the woman) - good one Staffo :)
ReplyDeleteAnd to what does he offer this tear of his? Great take penned.
ReplyDeleteImagine being auctioned off, like an inanimate object, or an animal, or, worse, like a slave.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the buyer found her, and that he cried.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
are you sure he wasn't after the nice frame?
ReplyDeletelovely piece
I'm looking at the photo but can't get over the strange glow behind her head ... her eyes also have a touch of the Midwich Cuckoo stare about them!
ReplyDeleteNice take on the prompt.
Staffor- so eloquently put....
ReplyDeleteI used to wonder why family photos would end up in a rummage sale or 2nd Hand shop. Now as I sift through all our "stuff" trying to winnow down all the boxes (really I am not exaggerating)and boxes of images and negatives. What do I do with all this? Do I really want to leave this for someone else to clean up? Should I just have a bonfire?
Beautiful, Stafford. She does draw out such emotion...
ReplyDeleteGood craft . . to not answer the question in the last line. Good work.
ReplyDeleteA tender surprise at the end..really packs a punch!!
ReplyDeleteAh, a spot of sentiment. Liked it.
ReplyDeleteHow can you bear to get rid of your beautiful Atari?
Dear Stafford: There is this sad echo from this picture. The story well written. The poor girl being autioned off; now I'm crying along with "Sir"!
ReplyDeleteHmm. One wonders about the tear. Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteThat was wonderful. I see you felt for the sale too. Have a wonderful week. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent and to the point. Love this!
ReplyDeleteNicely done, Stafford.
ReplyDeleteBittersweet. Very nice, Ford.
ReplyDeletePoignant piece, to be sure!
ReplyDeleteI loved the idea of using it as a lot number and in the end the man buying it in tears such a beautiful interpretation
ReplyDeleteStafford, I have a jar of sand that someone collected from the Pacific Ocean in 1952, and which I bought at an estate sale 2,000 miles from the ocean. I so much DIDN'T want that jar of sand that I went back to the sale a day later with the hope that someone else had bought it. No one had, so I paid my 15 cents, and have carried that jar around for 22 years now simply because I couldn't let the last remnant of a dead person's vacation end up in a landfill.
ReplyDeleteLoved this!
ReplyDeletea statement
ooo, snap! nice piece.
ReplyDeleteWho truly knows what tears are ever about...??
ReplyDeletea home run.
ReplyDeleteshare 1 to 3 poems with poetry potluck week 41 today.
I love it. Even the tears.
ReplyDelete