From above me I heard a sound like somebody killing a dog. After a minute I realized it was singing. I walked up the shattered stairs to investigate.
In the corner of the rubble-filled room, an old man lay on a grimy sleeping bag surrounded by empty bean cans. He was bony and filthy with long greasy hair, his grizzled beard a tangle, hairs nearest his mouth stained with food and wine and tobacco. He fixed me with his blue eyes, bright beneath bushy brows.
“You ain’t staying here,” he snarled. “But I’d take a cigarette if you got one.”
Great description and a cracking last line.
Great description – I was right there.
I agree, the description was great. And the last line, “You ain’t staying here,” he snarled. “But I’d take a cigarette if you got one” was spot on.
Lovely, and that last line was exceptional
Sad. Your lines evoke despair!
So realistic. I liked the “sounds like someone killing a dog” singing.
I’ll join the chorus, excellent description. I liked the comment he made.
Add me to the chorus as well. Loved the descriptions and the pragmatism of the vagrant.
Nice vignette. And now, of course, I want to know where, and why, and what next, but that actually doesn’t really matter.
Nice one. The underbelly of life.
Super visual in every word.
Isadora ?