I took a walk the other night and on the way home I found myself staring over a small bridge and into what was left of the water passing beneath. The creek dries in the winter, so there’s not much left to look at. Not sure why I stopped. Maybe I was hoping to see what was left of the ducks. They also go away in the winter. I knew that I wanted to think and stare. There was something I was supposed to be figuring out. The bridge was helping.
First I thought about why I was walking home alone. I thought about why I wasn’t coming from a friend’s house. Why wasn’t I heading to a friend’s house? Or even a bar? Why wasn’t I walking home from school? The library? Why wasn’t I doing anything tonight?
The bridge was no more than six feet high and I could see my reflection in the water. The reflected black sky and grey clouds made me feel like I was part of an elaborate puppet show. And, in a way, I was. The universe was the puppet master and I was The Great Puppet Show Below. A slave to my strings. We all are.
I thought about why certain people live the way they do. I decided that the answer was the same as to why I was walking by myself. Some people are the way they are because that’s just how these shows work. I could get into exactly how. Their social constructs, their childhoods, their schooling, their jobs, etc. None of it would make me feel better. It’s just how some shows work. Accepting the way things work now is important. Water under the bridge.
The ducks go away. And the creek dries in the winter.
December 13th, 2012 at 1:10 am
Beautiful musing. It’s quite….dark and dreary, but at the same it’s realistic. “It is what it is”, to quote Lifehouse. I really liked your descriptions of your surrounds and the startling realization.
December 13th, 2012 at 1:44 am
Good job David. It’s very contemplative allowing the reader to peer into the mind of the narrator. Keep it up.
December 13th, 2012 at 9:32 am
Indeed.. it is how it’s supposed to be..
much enjoyed this read
lynne
December 13th, 2012 at 10:48 am
I love how you were hoping to see what was left of the ducks, and then you came round to the ducks at the end.
Wonderful reflections with a perfect ending.
December 13th, 2012 at 1:37 pm
I enjoyed this piece, the words moved with a profound rhythm. Time to change the name of your blog. IMHO
December 13th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Aw, thanks. But I’m going to wait until I collect a few rejection letters (not that anyone has published me) before I change the name. Can’t be professional without those!
Thanks again for reading,
David
December 13th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Nice writing, David. Good luck with collecting those rejection letters…I found it awfully easy to do when I shopped my first novel about! :0) But in the meantime, start thinking of yourself as a writer…you are, you know!
December 14th, 2012 at 5:19 am
Fortunately or unfortunately, I can relate. Well said.
December 15th, 2012 at 3:47 am
Thank you for liking my blog and introducing me to yours – You captured the universal in the specific which is always wonderful in writing. We are all puppets – playing this way and that way to the strings of the Universe. Acceptance appears to be the only key – hard as it is
December 16th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
That was great, man. Really made me pause. Felt like I was on the bridge.
December 17th, 2012 at 2:42 am
Hi, I used to often fall asleep with the TV on and have these experiences where elements of the dream sync to the stuff on the TV, and I think they’re extremely vivid.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:05 am
Beautifully written. Love it.
December 17th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
lovely, sad and wonderful.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:07 pm
Nicely written, good read .
December 24th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Wonderfully done. I think I have been on that bridge myself. I was moved! TY