Thursday, May 5, 2011

55 - Choices

The traveler strode in worn out shoes. 
Clothing colored tan and brown 
from the filth 
permanently attached to the fabric. 
His worldly possessions 
carried in plastic grocery bags 
repossessed from store recycling bins. 
His shower falling from the sky 
is not enough to keep grime at bay. 
I wonder what his childhood dreams are thinking.
_______________________________


This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55
hosted by Mr. Knowitall.
For more 55's pay him a visit -
Mr. Knowitall.
_____________________________________________________

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Come join us for a Sunday 160.
A challenge using exactly 160 characters
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38 comments:

The Bipolar Diva said...

Now that's something to think about. Wow.

Brian Miller said...

do we ever really expect to end up where we are? i wanted to be a cop...until i worked with them and changed my mind...

Me said...

Powerful write, MM. Absolutely LOVE the last line.
-C

Janna said...

I like the last line, too, though my favorite part is how the rain isn't enough to wash away the grime.
Wow.

Well done. Thought-provoking.

Thanks for another Friday 55.
Mine's here. :)

Unknown said...

How close we may have been to walking in his shoes at different stages of our lives. Sad and touching, well written. Where did you see him? Did he have a pitbull??? We have extra food, you know...

G-Man said...

He dreamed of finding a 'FULL' bottle of MD-20/20!!!
Very real 55 KP, I see them every day.
Thanks for playing, Give the Mother of your children a huge hug, and have a Kick Ass Week-End

TALON said...

So sad and so much reality here, Monkey Man. Poignant and so well done.

Anonymous said...

Maybe his childhood dreams never went beyond a candy bar and staying up late to watch TV.

Reflections said...

Poignant piece. Love the depth, yet you leave much to ponder. Great write.

Matty said...

I can't imagine how someone ends up like that. But everyone has their own story, and I guess sometimes things are beyond your control. Who am I to judge?

Anonymous said...

Odd how when most everyone reads this they picture a homeless person, which was probably the intention, but I've heard of many people purposely giving up all worldly things to have a more meaningful life. Maybe he's livin' the dream. Who knows. ;-)

MorningAJ said...

I pass a 'gentleman of the road' regularly on my way to work. He always seems to be cheerful. Maybe it's the only way he can survive.

My 55 are up here.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

You NEVER know what is around the corner. That is what your 55 made me think about.

I ♥ this one. Have a great weekend, Minky

anthonynorth said...

A lot of questions from this. Excellent.

Tabor said...

Nicely done!! My only comment is I thought the last should have been 'were thinking' although your version makes it more complex.

Deborah said...

Thought provoking and beautifully written.

Austin said...

Reminds me of a story about a man who looked like this who approached several farms asking to work for money - finally finding one who would help it changed his life.

Great write.

Blood, Sweat and Tears is mine this week.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

your wonders at the last line evokes infinite possibilities.



wonderful 55....I always enjoy reading you..

Happy Mother's Day to Moms around you. Blessings...Give your wife my best.

PBJdreamer said...

Love the way you ended this.

Very thought provoking!


that is all

hedgewitch said...

Excellent way of putting it, MM. Perhaps his childhood dreams were nightmares--that puts a lot of people on the street.

Helen said...

This is wonderful .... I often wonder what has happened in their lives, what motivates the homeless. I worry for them, try to help when I can, volunteer at a local shelter on an as needed basis.

Mona said...

This is so full of pathos...childhood dreams scarcely think...they get lost..

Bubba said...

Nobody ever dreams of being homeless, do they?

Belinda Munoz said...

THey're everywhere and more and more in this economy.
Choices, sometimes, have a way of running out for some of us. Meanwhile, those of us who do have choices may want to think about doing something about it.

Unknown said...

Very thought-provoking, Monkey Man. I'm liking it. I am liking it. AND, you know I know you were kidding on my post. I know your caustic humor by now, that's why I gave some back to you in my e-mail. Have a great weekend hanging from trees, eating bananas or whatever it is that monkey men do!

RNSANE said...

That is so terribly sad. Who knows how recently he was a successful man and what might have happened to make him end up on the streets. It's happening every day here in San Franciso!

My Friday Flash 55 is at:

http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2011/05/friday-flash-55-his-fate-was-sealed-may.html

Remember all the terrific mothers in your life every day of the year!!

hope said...

Now you have me wondering about his childhood dreams too!

Interesting, as always. Good weekend to you!

Steve Isaak said...

Good lead-up, great exit-line. Engaging, thoughtful work.

Dr. Heckle said...

I always wanted to be a nudist... but unemployed loser worked out ok too.

Anonymous said...

A write of many dreams and reality standing on crossroads !

Shanae Branham said...

Great poem. Awesome description. I have met this man before...

Maude Lynn said...

The imagery in this is just fantastic. Well done, Monkey Man!

Margaret said...

...yes, I don't think anyone dreams of that fate. Certainly thought provoking...

Christine said...

I've meet the odd child working in schools, that think they are losers and won't go anywhere in life, so sad that some do, have no dreams.

joanna said...

MM

Life is so often filled with hardships,and some things not of our choosing, the cards dealt to us are not always what we would like, and can be harsh demanding our attention for survival like the "great dust" bowl or the Japanese tsunami where will life events lead us? Like the Indian saying: "walk a mile in his moccasins" In order to understand those moments...
A brilliant 55 Keith very thought provoking and humane.

Joanny

Katherine Krige said...

A sad reality that repeats all too often. Maybe his brother was the one from "What the Hell Wednesday"? Hard luck times.

amf said...

very well said...though I wonder how many had childhood enough to dream...

COUNT SNEAKY said...

Very thought-provoking. I cannot think of a harder place to be in for most of us who have spent long lives in secure environments. Yet, we all never plan or provide for such a condition should it arise. Ny best.