I'm sitting there folding envelopes and looking for jobs I don't want and sipping my americano through this black plastic lid and when I look up and see a man there,
staring at or through his own reflection in the window.
and he doesn't see me at all, it's like he's having an epiphany
because all the sudden he's crying and his face is clenching at the glass
like he's telling himself look what you've come to, look what the fuck you've come to
and he stands there just angry and clenching his face at the glass.
and I see everything. Where else can I look?
he leaves suddenly, like nothing happened, like all is budding and singing,
which it is,
but when I look out at the street in disbelief
there is a man with a wired white mustache staggering across the intersection
and he's trying to make it look natural, all the pain balling up in his legs,
trying to play it off like a swagger or something
but I see the pain cut across his brow like lightning,
his lips tightening in spasms against his smiling teeth.
and I leave this cafe,
my wireless card has expired,
and there is a homeless man sitting on his shirt in the middle of the sidewalk sleeping with his head
against this black steel fence
and I am just feeling thankful that I won't have to reject him when I see his sign,
God is Good, which pisses me off because, what kind of gimmick is that,
this, this decontextualized gratitude, this pandering little cardboard chicanery...
but look at what we've come to,
look at what the fuck we've come to,
all balled up and furious,
trying to play it off like a swagger.
where did we go to get so lonely?
...... this piece obviously needs an ending, but can't find one.
Comments (8)
so... in some way it needs an ending...
but in another way it's as jarring and messy as real life, as is.
either way, thanks.
Samm....that's crazy....that guy in the window....nuts
There is no such joy in the tavern as upon the road thereto.
@Chasing_my_Helen - whatever, just get to the tavern
Life is painful and ironic. God is good.
So Phin and I had this conversation where he was convinced people believe in God because it makes them happy. I told him, perhaps unconvincingly, that if that's the reason I believe in God I'm not getting what I signed up for. And yet...God IS good. All the beauty that Phin sees, all the mercy I experience, I'd give my life for the truth of God's goodness. Maybe someday I will.
LOL, no thank you.
It's been nearly a month since your last post. Don't deprive us from your writing. I don't get the pleasure of sitting beside you in CWC or in Photography and hearing your random thoughts anymore. Lucky Kate gets them all! :) I look forward to the day I'm back in Chicago, settled with Holden. (crosses fingers) But until I'm back in Chicago and able to have a cup of coffee with you guys... please write more.
And thanks for your support and excitement. Mine is growing and I am very happy for it.