Empty Chair in Empty Courtyard

    A lonely chair in an empty courtyard at Georgetown University.

    There's a grief that can't be spoken.
    There's a pain goes on and on.
    Empty chairs at empty tables
    Now my friends are dead and gone.

    Here they talked of revolution.
    Here it was they lit the flame.
    Here they sang about `tomorrow'
    And tomorrow never came.

    From the table in the corner
    They could see a world reborn
    And they rose with voices ringing
    I can hear them now!
    The very words that they had sung
    Became their last communion
    On the lonely barricade at dawn.

    Oh my friends, my friends forgive me

    (The ghosts of those who died on the barricade appear)

    That I live and you are gone.
    There's a grief that can't be spoken.
    There's a pain goes on and on.

    Phantom faces at the window.
    Phantom shadows on the floor.
    Empty chairs at empty tables
    Where my friends will meet no more.

    (The ghosts fade away)

    Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
    What your sacrifice was for
    Empty chairs at empty tables
    Where my friends will sing no more.

    Song: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables
    Musical: Les Miserables

    Comments and faves

    1. The Sassy Scorpio (51 months ago | reply)

      Peter, I LOVE this photo and the song goes perftectly with it. Amazing work!

    2. ★

      The Sassy Scorpio added this photo to her favorites. (51 months ago)

    3. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      Thanks so much, Brittany! Its kinda sad but I like it too.

    4. Tyna D (51 months ago | reply)

      I love this photo, Peter. And the lyrics are so perfect. I think that there is a certain kind of beauty to be found in sadness that the lyrics so wonderfully convey. That being said, it begs the question ... did you think I'd have one of my perspicacious insights to share when you took and posted this photo?

    5. ★

      ►chris◄ added this photo to their favorites. (51 months ago)

    6. ►chris◄ (51 months ago | reply)

      Now this is what photography is all about. Brilliant capture!

    7. ►chris◄ (51 months ago | reply)

      Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Beauty Selection (Invite Only), and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

    8. ★

      LukeOlsen added this photo to his favorites. (51 months ago)

    9. LukeOlsen (51 months ago | reply)

      Nice composition. I like how the streaks point to the chair and how the chair is facing towards the center.

    10. normal but special (51 months ago | reply)

      Excellent photo has a very poignant

    11. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      Thanks so much Tyna. Yes, I had a strong inclination (male intuition?) that you'd want to weigh in on this one. I thought you might even weave in a childhood memory involving snow blowing across the plains or rhubarb. Alas {sigh}. As far as having a "perspicacious insight", well, that's just a daily occurrence in your life. ;-). My only regret is that you can't see Elie R's shot of this: was lost in a hard drive crash.

      Hey Chris - - thanks for the comment, invite and fav. I'm humbled by that high praise.

      Thanks Luke. I spun the chair around a few ways and I think you're right about the direction. Pointing it the opposite way made it seem like the chair didn't want inclusion. Its sadder this way, if that makes any sense.

      Thanks Charlotte, I'm glad you found meaning in this.

    12. thru jens eyes (51 months ago | reply)

      oh wow...this is soo crazy...i'll email you why...

      but what a gorgeous and perfect fit for this photo and words!
      beautiful!

    13. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      Got it Jen - - what a gorgeous image! Thanks, and thanks for your comment here! Yes, they share a common theme.

    14. DoF Punk (51 months ago | reply)

      Ahhh Georgetown, GO THE HOYAS!! haha... not that i know, i just have a few friends who went there.

      wonder why that chair is there.

    15. forty-onecrush (51 months ago | reply)

      This is an amazing and moving shot. The colors...mood...isolation...attached to those lyrics, all strike a powerful emotion. This one hits close to home with me.

    16. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      Thanks, Jeremy. You're right about the Hoyas, of course. And the chair; well, I think it was there so someone could study outside in the sun.
      I so appreciate that. I was hoping to go a little deeper than just an image of an empty chair. Thanks.

    17. ★

      rob_pym added this photo to his favorites. (51 months ago)

    18. rob_pym (51 months ago | reply)

      Well seen and taken. Odd how chairs always have an emotional impact... silly humans!
      --
      Seen on your photo stream. (?)

    19. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      Too true about chairs; thanks Rob for the insight and the fave.

    20. ★

      Elie R./L.E. Photography added this photo to her favorites. (51 months ago)

    21. Good Sweeney (51 months ago | reply)

      Definitely like the contours and texture of this one, Peter :)

    22. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      Thanks, Stacy! Love your new icon!

    23. Good Sweeney (51 months ago | reply)

      Thanks back atcha! Those are yellow valentine's orchids. I'm liking your new icon as well. Are those Metro tiles? ?????

    24. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      LOL! Well, the sad state of affairs regarding that is found here:
      www.flickr.com/photos/ricepeter/2297676321/
      I decided to take lemons and make lemonade. Its kinda grown on me now. The icon, not the lemonade.

    25. normal but special (51 months ago | reply)

      Yes I did.. classicly shot also.

    26. ricepeter (51 months ago | reply)

      Thanks Charlotte!

    27. ~WVJoe (46 months ago | reply)

      Sweet image. I like the texture and the composition is perfect.

    28. ricepeter (46 months ago | reply)

      Thanks, Joe! I had almost forgotten about this image.

    29. Sheree (Here intermittently) (38 months ago | reply)

      Dear Peter,

      I LOVE the complexity hidden within the simplicity of this shot. And as soon as I read the first few lines, I knew exactly what song it was. Perfect pairing.

      At first, I thought you had set up the chair for the photo, but I see in the comments that is was already there. So -- great seeing, and great thinking, and finally great capturing, Peter. You have a very deep soul

      Allow me to break in my new code on you. I have just become a mod for one of the finest arts groups on Flickr.

      Blessings,
      Sheree

      ARTISTIC Photography
      MODERATOR QUALIFIED

    30. Sheree (Here intermittently) (38 months ago | reply)

      Nice to see you here, Peter.

      Blessings,
      Sheree


      ARTISTIC Photography

    31. Paula Barbosa (27 months ago | reply)

      Love this song! Beautiful job!

    32. ★

      cherryred ♥'s beardy added this photo to her favorites. (15 months ago)

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