image: Roger Bultot
For the visually challenged, the image is of a narrow streetscape, circa 19th century construction, with parked cars. The street is lined with gas street lights. A skyscraper dominates the skyline.
Image of ancient encampment becomes soaring rose-windowed, vaulted-ceilinged cathedral.
“Melding of technology and spirituality, such buildings act as monuments to monotheistic beliefs. The constructors privileged one supreme being over others.”
Cathedral melts, stained glass and marble morphs into 19th-century street scene.
“Grand public gesture becomes private. Home, the alter; technology the One.”
Cobblestones ripple, streetlights quaver. Stainless steel and glass mall, escalators purring, materializes.
Individual emerges from cocoon of hearth to congregate and worship publicly. Post-neo-monolithic monopoly capitalism.”
Holographic screen dissolves, lights come on, students stretch their eye stalks.
“Remember class. Test on “Dead Civilizations of the Milky Way” next week.
After many word counts and rewrites (delete button busy), my homework for
Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers.
Click on the frogs to read other folks’ homework
History lesson for aliens? Released in 2002; needs a few more verses.
If you feel like listening your way through history, genius.com has compiled a list.
I would add to it:
*several songs by Loreena McKennit (such as The Ballad of Queen Jane about the death of Jane Seymour, Henry the VIII’s third wife)
*Thin Lizzy’s version of “Whiskey in the Jar,” about highway men
*Weddings, Parties, Anything’s “Canabal Song” about escaped prisioners in Austraila fir starters
Kingston Trio, “Tom Dooley”
Woody Guthrie (I’m familiar with the Byrds version) about a Depression era ganster
And that’s just the start. What songs about historical events do you like/know of that aren’t on the genius.com list?
Another interesting list is on the Songfacts.com website.
Pietre Brughel the Elder: “The Tower of Babel” 1583
November 30, 2021 at 11:43 am
I liked the way you wrote this and the way it made me feel like I was part of a tour of a lost city/civilization. Dylan is well-represented on the list but one that both sites left is one I would add: “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”.
LikeLike
November 30, 2021 at 3:39 pm
Thanks for the suggestion! Yes, Dylan is an excellent story teller.
LikeLike
November 29, 2021 at 3:24 pm
Dear Lorraine,
I love the subtle reveal that these students stretching their eye stalks aren’t human. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 30, 2021 at 1:35 pm
Thanks, Rochelle. Just came off a binge watch of the X-files so my mind was in another galaxy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 28, 2021 at 7:55 pm
Lorraine,
Enjoyed this clever satire on human “progress” which apparently led to an unsurprisingly “dead civilization.” A great atke on the prompt.
Pax,
Dora
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 28, 2021 at 5:36 pm
The idea of the transition from pubic to private and back again is interesting. But your final picture of the tower of Babel suggests nobody is listening
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 28, 2021 at 3:14 pm
They seem to be a lot like us but also a lot smarter. I love this, great story.
LikeLike
November 28, 2021 at 12:50 pm
Interesting take on the prompt. I like the way you’re adventurous both in structure and in vocabulary.
LikeLiked by 1 person