DRABBLE CHALLENGE ~ NEGLECT

           I remember my first glimpse of him . He stood at the intersection . An undeniable sense of artistry , accompanied by a twinkle in his eye as he juggled objects . All public acknowledgement was returned with a slight bow , a tip of the imaginary hat , to reveal clean , well-manicured hands which were deft and expressive … and proud to boot !

He still stands there . The clothes have seen better days . Gone is the air of purpose , replaced by lacklustre . And the hands tell a different story . It's one borne of mental erosion . You can read it in the mechanical , robotic motion … they say it gets you … eventually …

10 Comments

  1. Ryan on August 30, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    You paint a dramatic and realistic portrait of the street-corner entertainer who once had a love and flair for what he does but has now grown emotionally (and physically) weary. I can feel the juggler's complicated emotional state and it's sadness, which makes this tale all the more poignant. You write with incredible talent and insight, Mish. I really liked this!  

    • mish on August 30, 2011 at 9:30 pm

      Thank you , kind sir ! 🙂 *humble bow*

  2. Morning on August 30, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    what a haunting post, bless you.
     
    PS: expect a fiction review at bluebell books from you.,
    please post today by misnight,
    Thanks.

    • mish on August 30, 2011 at 9:34 pm

      Thanks for popping in and for the reminder ! 🙂

  3. David King on August 31, 2011 at 10:23 am

    You have created an image which has a lot of authenticity. Impressive.

    • mish on August 31, 2011 at 3:20 pm

      Thank you , kind sir ! I appreciate your comment . Authenticity , you say ? You have just helped steer my writing in a new direction …

  4. Amy LaBonte on August 31, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    Yes, nice post! And hello back from the short story category of the Campaign. Thank you for stopping by.
     

    • mish on September 1, 2011 at 6:38 pm

      Thanks Amy – glad to meet a fellow campaigner !

  5. Arlee Bird on August 31, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    Good job of keeping it short and conveying much.  You've captured well the sense of stagnation in one who doesn't attempt to go beyond what he knows and just does has always done.  That's one juggler I wouldn't want to be, but I have to admire his persistence.
     
    Lee
    <a href="http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/">Tossing It Out</a>
     

    • mish on September 1, 2011 at 6:40 pm

      Thank you Mr A-Z 🙂 I really appreciate your comment !

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