When Stevie called at our house, just the other day, he quietly sipped his coffee and didn’t have much to say,
He steered the conversation to our childhood days and how he was scared of getting lost in the maze
“ Do you remember the maze?” he asked “The thing the old farmer made?””
“Of bushes and hay bales and wood.
I’d hate to get lost in the maze.”he said “I’d get out as soon as I could,”
Then Stevie posed a question, like he’d plucked it from the sky “ What frightens you the most? ”
I was stuck for a reply, so I smiled and blurted out “ Ghosts!.”.
Stevie stayed a bit longer and we poured ourselves a beer.
We toasted absent friends and some who were still near.
We talked about our childhood days and how we’d gone our separate ways.
Then Stevie talked some more about the maze.
Stevie said that some people could make it through their day and never meet an obstacle, nothing blocked their way, until they reached the finish line.
“The puzzle put to bed,” then he drew a deep breath and quietly he said
“Life is like a maze.”
“Some of us can’t figure it, cannot work it out, no matter how we struggle, no matter how we shout.”
Stevie said that on his darkest days, it felt like he was lost back in the maze.
Stevie said the twists and turns and endless one way streets meant he was a loser unable to compete and Stevie said that when he had those days, it was just like being lost inside the maze.
Remember when we were kids” he said “ Taking chances whilst admiring glances made those endless evenings full of fun.“We didn’t know our lives had just begun,”
“But life is full of obstacles,” he sighed,“ They stop you getting to the other side.”
You simply can’t remember how you reached the place you find yourself right now.
You don’t know when, you don’t know how.
We talked about the laughter and the tears and mused about the passing of the years.
Then Suddenly he said he could n’t stay, there was something that he had to do today.
He went and took his coat from off the hook, he smiled and stepped back to take a look.
Then Stevie shook me warmly by the hand, he said he had an early evening planned.
I did n’t hear from Stevie after that, until neighbour’s sent the Police round to his flat.
Sleeping pills he’d used to end his days, to help him find his way out of the maze.
-
Author:
Chris Duffy (
Offline) - Published: April 12th, 2022 00:01
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 24
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Comments11
Thanks Chris, a good tale and enjoyed the rhythm and flow, good job!
Many thanks for the kind comments.
Life can appear like that maze to some on the edge of ending it all - - - sad but familiar in these troublesome days Chris - - a tale that gives much food for thought -
Thanks again Faye.
'Remember
when we were kids” he said
“Taking chances
whilst admiring glances
made those endless evenings
full of fun.
We didn’t know our lives had just begun,”
“But life is full of obstacles,” he sighed,
“ They stop you getting to the other side.”
You simply can’t remember
how you reached
the place you find yourself right now.
You don’t know when,
you don’t know how.'
(so much wisdom
you've weaved into this, heartachingly
acute, portrayal of so many people's
daily, realities..)
and if your words were inspired by real life events
I'm sorry for what you've had to go through..
this is a read, I'll remember for a long time
thank you! for choosing to share with us..
Brilliant!
Thank you dear friend. It was loosely based on a real life event many years ago.
I like to think that the person in question is finally at peace but wished I had spotted the signs.
Best wishes.
such a well written story with a tragic ending
I'm sure this plays a role on why so
many people off themselves during
the worst of pandemic so sad, they simply
cannot figure out the slopes of life.....
Dahlia
Hi Dahllia.
Many thanks for your message and I agree.
It is also more commonly young men who resort to these measures..
I don’t have the answers except we have to believe that there is always hope.
Have a nice day.
I really enjoyed reading this story. Thank you for sharing.
Good morning Rosina.
Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings and for the kind words.
Regards
Chris Duffy.
Good morning Rosina.
Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings and for the kind words.
Regards
Chris Duffy.
took me by the hand and
lead me along a rhythmic
trail
I was not expecting the
sudden ending such
contrast as abrupt as
the discovery
Most enjoyable
have you considered losing commas and full stops?
Here is a verse but unfortunately
this text input will not allow me double spaces Please imagine the replaced spaces
Do you remember the maze? he asked The thing the old farmer made?
Of bushes and hay bales and wood
I’d hate to get lost in the maze he said I’d get out as soon as I could
I often do this unless I specifically want a comma for emphasis
suspense or visual effect
2spaces comma Three spaces for a period
Two spaces in place of quotation marks I say
I feel it easy to read without hooks and dots clutter The eyes naturally
suggest pausing at a longer break between words for about a comma length
Thanks you. Did kinda throw it down.
I will revisit and tidy it up.
I get so caught up in the subject matter, I forget to format.
Very kind feedback.
Thanks again.
Thanks you. Did kinda throw it down.
I will revisit and tidy it up.
I get so caught up in the subject matter, I forget to format.
Very kind feedback.
Thanks again.
Thanks you. Did kinda throw it down.
I will revisit and tidy it up.
I get so caught up in the subject matter, I forget to format.
Very kind feedback.
Thanks again.
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