A Quiet Street

[poliphilo]

A child stands in the middle of the road yowling.

We go out and talk to him gently. He says his mother has left him to go shopping.

He is wearing a school jumper and flimsy blue shorts. Ailz takes his hand. His hand is freezing.

We walk him to his door- a few houses down- where his slightly older brother comes out and talks to us.

(Why aren't either of them in school?)

His Brother takes him in and locks the door.

Peace again. This is a very quiet street. And the BIG question- did we do the right thing?

The mystery of other people's lives.

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

My dad used to tell us about the old days, when travelers on the road would pull off at sundown, set up cots beside the road, and sleep under the stars.

Can you imagine a wonderful freedom like that? Wouldn't it be fun?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I did that a couple of times in my late teens- took off a walking tour and slept out in the open. The stars have never again seemed so bright.