I don’t think I’ve ever felt bad about one of my Friday Fictioneers stories before, but I guess I have about my last one. I didn’t go over it the 552 times that I usually do, which meant it had gaps.
So, I’m a bad person, but am greedily offering a second try. It’s called Adulation. Thank you for reading!
Adulation
My big brother took me to the exposition. His band was playing.
I floated in gossamer dreams.
“This is my music,” he said, dissolving into poetic grunge.
Thirty years later, famous, he’s onstage, eyes webbed red, resembling a bloody gossamer dream. He cajoles me, “It’s part of the show.”
I can only believe him. I’m a kindergarten teacher. I teach kids how to draw a turkey by outlining their fingers.
His eyes belong to no one I know.
The dissolving grunge poet disappears behind an entourage.
The ambulance arrives.
I’m never close enough to grasp his hand as he fades.
end 1/7/2018
Sascha Darlington
I can read the complete rock life story between the lines. Well done.
Thanks, Iain! I always appreciate your reading!
You made the unsaid spaces between the words work well for you in this
Thank you, Neil. 🙂
Dear Sascha,
I suppose, to her, he’s the one who’s had an exciting, if not destructive life. I liked the contrast of herself as a kindergarten teacher. Methinks the lady has made the better choice. Sad and wistful…nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle.
“it’s better to burn out than to fade away,” as Neil Young sung in Hey Hey, My My… and then quoted by Curt Cobain is probably a lie it takes a kindergarten teacher to see… sad really
Thanks, Bjorn.
First off, you are not a bad person!
Oh the stories we tell ourselves to accept our choices. Such a sad reality for way too many musicians… Well done, Sascha!
Thank you, Dale. I’m not feeling so bad today. 🙂
Yes, I think it’s very difficult to creative and talented people to launched into the stratosphere and have their heads stay on straight.
Indeed!
And moat welcome.
https://whisper365blog.wordpress.com/2018/01/07/sunshine-blogger-award/ I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award as you are indeed very special to me and I think you are the finest example of sunshine. And I adore you.
Thanks, Phyllis. So thoughtful, but I (unfortunately because I love to receive them) stopped accepting awards awhile back.
I couldn’t remember whether you did or not. In any event, you deserve it, so I nominated you anyway 🙂 Many don’t accept but they are the ones I enjoy so what choice do I have? hehe
Beautifully written, as always.
I am sad he faded like that and that there’s always a price to pay.
Thank you, Moon. Yes, it’s like the cliched meteorite, burns out too quickly.
Dear Sascha
You’ve told that story very well, and I enjoyed reading it several times. It’s poignant, in the little sister’s loss of her brother. However, you cleverly imply that he has been a dreamer and a visionary; he’s paid a high price, but perhaps – for him – it was worth it. And maybe the sister feels just a little that she might have done something more glamorous than kindergarten teacher. (I don’t say better – I think kindergarten teachers do the most important job of all. They are our promise that our society will survive and be civilised)
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments, Penny! Yes, she might have longed for something more glamorous, but watching her brother may have made her more pragmatic. And, I agree. Most teachers are not given the respect they deserve.
I’d take the slower life anytime over the fast one that eats you up. Good writing, Sascha. 🙂 — Suzanne
I think the slower life allows you the time to appreciate everything you have….and the stuff you don’t. 🙂 Thanks, Suzanne!