By John Holmes
The wheels of Joan’s stroller wobble as she pushes her way over the worn-out carpet. She pauses by the hallway bookshelf, looks down at the loaded shelves, and takes a few seconds to catch her breath.
Thirty copies of Abroad Horizons sit there, abandoned—much like Joan. Fading spines hold well-thumbed pages in place; suncream-smudged fingerprints still visible. The scribbled notes, once significant, bind the disappearing memories of her youth. Locations have merged in her mind; the only order now remaining, alphabetical.
She shuffles on and flops heavily into her high-backed chair, thankful that she has survived one more treacherous journey.
A dangerous past. Very satirical storytelling. I love it
Thanks for your comments Damhuri. Based the story on someone in the family.
You are representing the past of very simple objects. That’s definitely not easy.
A visual feast. Kudos.
Cheers Kevin. Thanks for taking the time to read it.
Like this one very much. Can visualise the scene.
Thanks Geja. It’s sad how easy it is to visualise old people as ‘old people’, and not realise that they had a youth.
I don’t understand the story? What is the significance of Abroad Horizons? In the USA, a stroller is a baby carriage.
Lost in translation; British writer. Your stroller is our pram. Our stroller is an aid to help the infirm to walk.
Abroad Horizons is a fictitious title (101 Words don’t accept real, existing titles) for a range of travel guides. Actually, I was pleased with the title – surprised it hasn’t been used, as in ‘broaden your horizons’ by travelling abroad.
Hope this helps your appreciation, or not, of the story.
So sad. Such an accurate portrayal of aging, alas.
So true. Thanks for reading.
Hope this is not me after a couple of decades (saying it in a lighter vein, of course)..very well written
Ha – maybe it’s all of us … someday.
Thanks for your comments.
Nicely done, my favourite this week!
Thanks Marie. Happy to hear that – it’s my favourite too ( but I maybe biased).
Memories, sometimes that is all that is left in life.
Yes, and if your memory is as bad as mine – you’re left with very little!
Thanks for reading.