Another dVerse! “Seeing the Signs” is for Monday night’s prosery in which we write flash fiction that incorporates a line from a poem. In this week’s installment, the line is: We look at him through the wrong end of the long telescope of Time from the poem by D.H. Lawrence entitled, ‘Humming Bird’.
Seeing the Signs
The problem with Joe is not actually a problem with Joe, but with us: We look at him through the wrong end of the long telescope of time. But it’s what we do, isn’t it? Joe behaves stupidly as a teenager and we remember, cast demerits.
But not Elsie Schneider.
Since forever Elsie has taught fifth grade. She’s ramrod straight and tough but fair.
Few from this town joined up after 9/11, but Joe did. He served three tours, earned medals, returned, worked in his daddy’s garage but never left the Preacher’s radar. It all happened because 16-year-old Joe accidentally drove through the preacher’s beloved church sign. Not a big deal, unless you believe more in signs than life.
“Hellraiser’s back,” Preacher said.
Elsie stiffened. “You mean Joe?”
“Hellraiser.”
“That boy saved more people than you’ll ever save.”
Preacher flinched. Elsie’d taught him also.
end
Categories: dVerse, Flash Fiction, poems
I love that this is a portrait not just of Joe but also Elsie, Sascha! There’s no one like an old teacher to know everyone. She’s shrewd, especially when she tells the Preacher “That boy saved more people than you’ll ever save.”
Many thanks, Kim. I had a teacher like this.
Beautiful story Sascha
Many thanks, Paul.
So very welcome 🙂
Love how you saw the boy grow up, and still to some he never did.
No, some never let others grow up. Many thanks! 🙂