Old Frames
This week's prompt...
All I have are these windows.
The man thought me mad to want new glass in them.
What does it matter, he asked.
When they’re my window on the world, I told him, it matters a great deal. That persuaded him. That and my money.
At my age, all I can do is spend my days down here. I’m as weather-beaten as these timbers. Every day, new pains in my old frame.
The least I can do is put new panes in my old frames.
Tom Lehrer once said, “bad weather always looks worse through a window”.
I think not.
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Welcome to Week 20 (or Week 3 for me) of the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups. This week’s prompt is the photograph above. Hope you enjoy my 100 words. Click the badge above and visit some more 100-Word Challenge entries. Perhaps write your own 100 words using the same prompt. If I can do it, you can.
Enjoyed your take on this, clever . . .
“New pains in my old frame” Brilliant! Didn’t need the next line in my opinion.
Great piece!
Interesting play on panes/pains. Tend to agree with Dughall that the Tom Lehrer line wasn’t needed… maybe move the last two lines to the beginning…? Anyway, good piece!
I don’t edit my posts.
After a busy week I was glad to sit down and read all of the 100WCGW’s
I love this Garry, it’s a brilliant piece and especially the line “Every day, new pains in my old frame.”
I like the Tom Lehrer line where it is – it’s not Tom’s Story, but the reference leaves you with an afterthought and for me that this old man would rather be on his side of the window when it’s cold (aches, pains and all).
Think ur write colin
Lehrer line to the beginning so the theres more inpact delivered by ‘The least I can do is put new panes in my old frames.’ Think its a rather good punchline and foil to the previous sentence.
Terrific play on words! And I disagree with Dughall and Colin – I liked the Tom Lehrer line.
Nice! Made me want to try!
This is a lovely take on the prompt.
Beautiful. A start to a novel or short story? Think about it.
Like that: ‘Every day, new pains in my old frame.’ Made me think, we’re never too old or broken. But we’re forever worthy of repair. x
Again, you have approached this from a really interesting viewpoint bth in topic and writing HUN. Like the other commentators, I like the play on words. What about Honest Mum’s suggestion?
I love this. Given you’ve only got 100 words, I think you leave people wanting to know more, plus there is enough to pique someone’s imagination – different people will make different assumptions about the person telling the story.
Really don’t understand why people are suggesting changes – your blog, your rules, your words. And I like them. So there.
I love the play on words “new pains . . . new panes”. Windows are important. Watching the world is important. And a storm watched through a window from the comfort of a hot cup of tea makes life wonderful.
Lovely piece.
Lisa
I really liked your take on the prompt, very cleverly done with the panes/pains. Flowed really well and very well written.
I don’t know what you for a living, but whatever it is ditch it and get yourself a poet laureateship. I’m riddled with envy of your verbal conjuring.
Don’t think it was the Tom Lehrer line Dughall was suggesting was surplus – think it was the line before. I agree with him – the piece is so good, it doesn’t need the reiteration. Nicely done!
I agree with the unofficial editors – sorry but I do. On the other hand, I disagree with Tom Lehrer (whom I love) – I love watching the weather through the window, and the more violent the better.
Brilliant.
You are right, Lorely. The Lehrer line was fine. Didn’t need the reiteration of pains/frames – I got it the first time.
Loved the ” Every day, new pains in my old frame.
The least I can do is put new panes in my old frames.” great play on words. What an interesting take on the prompt. I think I cheated a bit with mine :S
Great piece of writing. I like the building/character relationship; both breaking but neither yet broken. Lovely tone to it.
I enjoyed this, very clever wordplay
Very interesting and very clever indeed