The Memory of Music

The room was dark and cold when I walked in. It was covered in layers of dust and the air was heavy. I walked over, turned on the lights, and there it was. Just as I had left it three years ago when I had walked these halls for the last time. The studio room was still set up the way it used to be, the amps in the corner. The dark blue wallpaper chipping and falling apart. Closing my eyes, the memories overwhelm me. The sound of the soft tempo of music and the gentle melody jumped and bounced off of the wall.

The sound of the crowd that used to be beyond the walls of this studio, echoed down the halls. The voices weaved through the walls, encouraging performance. I imagine what I would’ve done back then. Deep breathes, eyes closed, listening to the gentle roar of the crowd. Finger tapping against the mahogany table. Letting the crowd beyond the walls comfort me in a way they didn’t realize they were doing. Finally, I remember standing up, collecting my nerves and taking three steps towards the door.

A bang jolts me out of my memories. My eyes travel to the abandoned guitar case that had fallen over, making puffs of dust spiral up into the air like a fog. I take one last look around the studio that had once been my home. My life. Then I turned around and walked away. Not turning around once to look at the place that now was nothing but bad memories.

I don’t look back to see anything about the life I once lived. Nor do I open up my mind and imagination to hear the soft, sad tune of the music that once was mine, followed me down the street. In one last way to say goodbye.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I am guessing that you might be young-ish (compared to me at almost 63) . . . and your story sounds like this might be the first time this narrator had an experience where some major part of one's life has had the door irrevocably closed. I am old & I have found that as life goes by, there will be MANY things we do with a passion & which we pour ourselves into, but then this door closes for some reason. I would be like your narrator, taking a few moments to savor the memories, then moving on to the next possibility in life! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[AirieLeva]

Yes, I'm still fairly young, I'm still in high school.
But I've already learned that if you don't take a few moments to remember what is lost then that's when it's truly lost.
Thank you so much!!

[Iain L. Luen]

Great visuals. Thanks for inviting me.
If this is real, don't throw away the music. You don't have to be a star to do what you love.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is so beautiful it’s poignant sad sweet simple and I loved it

[AirieLeva]

Thank you sooo much!!