Sunday, November 12, 2017

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Post 1634. Sunday November 12



When bickering turned to bitterness they went their separate ways. Whilst she continued to enjoy their lavish lifestyle, he descended into a pit of deep depression. A shadow of his former self, he spent his empty days wandering the streets dependent upon the generosity of the caring few, yet invisible to most, his once stylish attire now frayed scruffy clothes and a filthy coat tied with a length of knotted cord.

No soft bed for him, not for years. At night he had a few hours restless sleep in a shop doorway, before shuffling off at sunrise. But the other morning he was still there when the shopkeeper arrived to open the store. Thinking him to be asleep, she gently nudged his frail body. He fell to one side, never again to wake. That evening a single red rose lay on the spot where he spent his final moments.

This morning a street cleaner swept up a limp flower as it tumbled along the pavement in the chill winter wind.

Word count 169





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17 comments:

  1. Hi Keith - so sad and happening more and more ... a poppy springs to mind this weekend - evocatively written - Hilary

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  2. A downbeat tale of loss, and timely as the cold nights come around again.

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    1. I cannot imagine what it's really like. Thanks Iain

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  3. Very sad, and there are many out there.

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  4. Sad story! There is a Hindi lyric which says 'Spring comes again, but the flowers which had wilted do not come back to life.'

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    1. That is so true. Than you for telling me of it Reena.

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  5. So sad. So many homeless on the streets of our cities.

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  6. Happens all too often, especially as the cold weather approaches.

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    1. That's when it's worse. Unimaginable. Thanks James

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  7. This was a very sensitive treatment of a depressing and complicated subject Keith.

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  8. Not many laughs this week, Keith.
    Nicely written tale.

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  9. Such a sad tale tht is becoming more and more normal unfortunately. Well told Keith.

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