The Awkward Gent

The Awkward Gent

 

The silent gent stood there,

with a walking stick in his hand.

He was on the sidewalk,
content in his awkward stance.

 

His back hunched over,
he trusted that walking aid.

For surely, upon it, he heavily relied,
as he looked ready to cave.

 

Even so, he stood there,
seemingly taking everything in.

The only thing protecting him from the sun
was a straw hat, though thin.

 

Why did he just stand there?

Was he waiting for someone?

Did he need assistance?

These questions had me undone.

 

No, I wasn’t a stalker.

I was sitting on the bench across the street
devouring a melting ice cream cone
when my curiosity piqued.

 

No one seemed to notice him,
they simply walked past.

After a while, I grew concerned,
and thought I’d  go ask.

 

Several minutes later,
still licking my ice cream, now most on me,
I finally decided to go see if he needed help.

Aggravated that no one saw there may be a need.

 

Tossing the cone into a trash bin,
feeling like a hero--or shero--in my own right,

I began to walk his way through a now busy crowd.

But reaching the spot, the man was nowhere in sight.

 

Melinda McQueen Rodgers

July 31, 2021

Author's Note

Any thoughts?

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

How strange. Was he a figment of your imagination or was the supernatural at play? Nicely narrated puzzler Melinda.

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

A figment of my imagination. Thanks for reading..

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome Melinda.