THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET
Huddled
in his doorway, Harvey stared sourly across the street. Why did the sun never
shine on him? Over there it was spring, with a hint of green colouring the
trees, but on this side the snow still lay in dirty heaps.
He pulled
his overcoat tighter and scowled at the people streaming into the synagogue. Their
cheerful greetings floated across the sunny street to Harvey’s shadow, families
and friends together, emphasizing his loneliness.
A car
pulled up beside him and a man got out.
“What are
you doing skulking over here, Harvey? Come on – you’ll be late. Happy Passover!”
.......................................................It took me a while to come up with a story for Roger Bultot's photo - not being Jewish I couldn't think of anything appropriate - but my story could easily be about any place of worship.
Poor Harvey is clearly suffering from depression - a state in which one can often only view the lighter side of life from ones own darkness.
One of the upsides to religion is the communities that can be brought together and look after each other. Unfortunately that is not the side that makes the headlines very often.
ReplyDeleteRight on both counts, Iain. My own church is a hub of activity in the village, yet people all over the world are being killed for worshipping God in ways that differ from others. What IS wrong with people?
DeleteSuddenly the sun shone on him too! Excellent.
ReplyDeleteMy story - 'This way that way!'
Maybe his friend will take him home for lunch and continue the cheering up process.
DeleteNicely done, Lizy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen x
DeleteThe grass is always greener... only it sounds like he belonged to the greener pasture too!
ReplyDeleteLovely story, Lizy!
-Rachel :)
He does, but depression blocks out positive thoughts like that!
DeleteWell done, Lizy. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan x
DeleteI hope he takes the offered hand. Sometimes helpful and friendly people can make an angry or depressed person even more so. Lovely story.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if he'll accept
ReplyDeleteDear Liz,
ReplyDeleteYou have the right idea. Passover is a time to invite the lonely and the strangers. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle - glad i got it right.
ReplyDeleteNice take on the prompt and a good take on the internal workings of depression.
ReplyDeleteThanks Trent - I've been there so I know.
DeleteYes, you have described depression so well. And--we don't always have to now a lot about a particular topic to write a fascinating post about it :)
ReplyDeleteThat is true as well, Linda. Thanks for dropping by.
DeleteI think you did well, quite frankly!
ReplyDeleteAnd it is funny. I have always lived on the sunny side of the street! The snow melts faster ;-)
Thank you, Dale. I have the best of both worlds in my cottage - morning sun at the front, afternoon and evening at the back.
DeleteI like how you used figurative and literal together in the story with the "dark side of the street". I also really like the way the story ended.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughtful comment, Jade.
DeleteI liked it.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWe had the same dilemma Liz - not knowing enough to focus on the main part of the picture. But you did very nicely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra - to start with I found it impossible to see past the synagogue!
DeleteI think this is an excellent way to focus a story outsides the focus of the picture... maybe the same view as the photographer.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he was skulking in a doorway too?
DeletePoor Harvey. Hopefully he'll get the help he needs. It seems he does have friends after all. Good story and writing, Liz. ---- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne
DeleteThere is hope for Harvey, it seems he has a friend who cares.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope he appreciates the help.
DeletePoor Harvey, indeed. My heart hurts for him.
ReplyDeleteComing out of depression is a slow process.
Delete