Old Simon

old simon

he hides beneath the brim 
of an old straw hat with many years
of service pressing down to shade
eyes of unknown hue 
so long have they been
in exile from the sun.

a service smile sat
uncomfortably on his lips
as if not used to such 
a fortnight position
unpracticed, almost forgotten.
not stretched to the corners 
of his eyes, left dangling 
like a once had friend.

his voice was rationed
into short useful phrases
beneath the words ran, 
“ get this over with.”
“Get me out of the glare”.
attention seeped over the hermit
like treacle. threatening to suffocate
his very existence.

a man ever alone 
lost to human discourse
niceties, polite societies filled
with mendacity.  alarms clangored 
in his mind but to late,  he was surrounded
by the curious and rude; their children 
poking, touching his gear.
everything screamed run
and he did.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Flats Avatar
October 9, 2017 at 10:11 PM
Wow! This is sharpened to a razor's edge. Such a vivid portrait. Reading this late at night, I will probably dream of this... and, I look forward to it. Huggadoodles ~ john
Cresswell Avatar
October 11, 2017 at 8:39 PM
It is a character of a man in a moment of his life. thanks John.
Gauthier Avatar
October 4, 2017 at 11:35 AM
Very well crafted. Enjoyed reading this poem.
Cresswell Avatar
October 4, 2017 at 1:20 PM
Thank you Line.
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