"Two wrongs may not make a right but a thousand wrongs make a writer.”

Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Wrong Side of Town (Flash 55)

Beside a three-story house in Romanesque style
that’s falling down,
a station wagon is parked
in the tall grass on two flat tires.
An old man sits behind the steering wheel
and reads the newspaper,
oblivious to the crumbling ruins.
He does this every day,
past All Saints,
warm in his sunroom
but going nowhere.


If you can write a story in 55 words, let Mr. Knowitall know. TGIF party animals!

24 comments:

Brian Miller said...

what an intriguing old man you have conjured...so rich with detail i can see him...

Susan at Stony River said...

Somehow, I really like this guy -- I want to get myself a cup of coffee and join him in the car on a sunny morning sometime. Nice one!

magiceye said...

chilled out!
superb imagery!

Kavita said...

A hopeful old man... Wonder where he had originally wished to go...
A chilling 55 !!

Maude Lynn said...

I wanted to rescue the old guy! I spent too much time working in the Alzheimer's Unit, I guess.

g-man said...

Marvelous Writing Yvonne...
I know people like him!
He must be reading The Free Press
hehehehe
Excellent 55 My Dear.
You Rock The Mitten..
Thanks for playing, and have a Kick Ass Week-End...G

Alice Audrey said...

If he did that around here, people would knock on his door and ask what he was up to.

John (@bookdreamer) said...

Old Age - sense to do what works and not what folks say is right and proper. Just a fun 55 today!

Cruella Collett said...

Fascinating! I can just see him sitting there, reading his paper. Loved it! And I'm impressed - I've dabbled with drabbles for a couple of years, but at least we then have 100 words - you're working with only 55!

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

In just 55 words you've created some rich imagery. Great piece of writing.
Judy

PattiKen said...

Oh, there is a story there. I'd love to know more.

I’m up here.

clean and crazy said...

this is a lovely piece. i knew an old man like that years ago.

Jemi Fraser said...

Nice! I can completely picture this scene. :)

Liza said...

Love this Yvonne.

Claudia said...

..sounds inviting somehow..would love to join him...

Anthony Duce said...

The Wrong Side of Town is great. The imagery of the story so real.

Lulda Casadaga said...

I can feel the warmth in the sunroom. Read on old man... :)

Jingle said...

vivid capture of your character,
very moving 55.

Wine and Words said...

This is a painting I would like. A content man among the ruins...sun and news enough. No longer needing to be going....just being.

Yvonne Osborne said...

Thanks everyone for taking the time to tell me what you thought about my piece. Rather than responding indiviually here, I'm visiting each of your blogs, if it takes me all week!

Thanks again. You all rock!!

Amanda said...

Amazing imagery...thanks so much for sharing :)

Claudia said...

thanks for commenting on my poem Yvonne - just enjoyed reading your 55 again...
have a great week!
claudia

Belle said...

Very powerful imagery! That last line goes right to the heart.

Cat Woods said...

Yvonne,

I lived in that neighborhood.

You quite simply are a master at evoking emotions and conjuring up vivid realities in a handful of words.

I bow down to your greatness and am inspired every time I read your Flash 55's.