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5/15/2008

100 Word Challenge - Want

What follows is in response to the 100 Word Challenge, authored by the desirable VelvetVerbosity.

In the city, the thin wail of the baby echoes around the small room. He was born drug addicted and he is hungry. There is no food and his mother is dry. He was born to it.

In the countryside, a starving young woman whose baby has died drags herself to the Free Clinic, hoping to find food. She has had it thrust upon her.

In the mountains, the old miner is slowly dying of black lung disease. Since the mines closed up, he can't afford care. It just wasn't anything he expected.

Given a name, the 'it' is Want.

I had several different thoughts for this challenge. I thought to tell a story of a young man in the throes of youthful lust. I thought also of a little kid in the toy store who's just seen the toy of the century and tries to impress on the unlucky parent just how much he wants that toy. But I thought that perhaps it might serve a better purpose to paint these little mental vignettes of WANT, because some wants go unmet. And perhaps they shouldn't. Can you hear me, George? Dubya, are you there?

13 comments:

Elizabeth said...

"...I thought that perhaps it might serve a better purpose to paint these little mental vignettes of WANT, because some wants go unmet."
I think you've described needs better than wants. But you did it well!

Anonymous said...

Were you playing "In the Ghetto" when you wrote this?

Elizabeth said...

"...if not, you can come train ME anytime."

Anytime, indeed! :)

Momisodes said...

Very poignant, and great choices. I have seen the "want" from scenario #1 first hand. You painted that picture quite well.

Queen Goob said...

....wow

Unknown said...

I could never do a 100 word challenge. Paring it down to only be 100 words would prove impossible for me. You do it so well and get the point across so well.

And don't go stealing my theme song, "in the ghetto..."

Unknown said...

Elizabeth: (1) As in 'left wanting'.

witchypoo: Elvis lives.

Elizabeth: (2) Mailman!

Sandy: Thank you. I'm sorry you had to see that.

Queen Goob: thanks

Hyphen Mama: I won't - I promise - as long as I can have "Suspicious Minds".

Anonymous said...

Powerful little vignettes! Well done.

www.ayewonder.com said...

Lou you always do a great job with these 100 word challenges. It's like painting with words.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

You are a great writer! And Ed was just saying the same thing. :)

Loraine said...

Very nice.
And no, I don't think Dubya is there. Nor ever was, nor will be.

Unknown said...

Velvet Verbosity: Thank you.

thegrandview: Thank you. I should do so well with paint.

Rebecca: Thank you Reba - and Ed.

Intracerebral: I truly hope that he and dickey (Geez, is that appropo or what?) go to and enjoy their time in, jail.

Unknown said...

I like what you did with the picture you are painting and I see many directions with which you could go. Great post this week. Mine is up @ Mama Bear Writes.