B-Flat

Actual person that I know.

Knowledgeable.

Incorrigible.

Unkempt.

Hellbent.

Lost his room because he didn't pay the rent.

Insecure and ascetic.

Strangely esoteric.

Dropped out of college when he became diabetic.

Was studying to be an electrical engineer.

The only thing he's ever made are offensive teeth with a yellow veneer.

His given name is Brian.

As bright and arrogant as Orion.

A living, breathing encyclopedia.

Much more informative than the media.

Drinking nips and blowing dandelion smoke.

Every day a confounding, empty toke.

Hanging around the soup kitchen like another lost jamoke.

He used to play bass guitar in a band.

Incapable of living life on its terms or making a stand.

Able to fine-tune a piano.

And repair your iPad Nano.

Suffering from conspiracy and dark with strife.

He declares that no woman is good enough to be his wife.

Able to school you on soap and share everything he knows.

Doesn't believe in washing his clothes.

Always takes a swig before he sits down to dinner.

Swears up and down that he's a winner and not a sinner.

Says he knows that there isn't a God.

Despite using logic that's badly flawed.

Drag-assing around the city doing this and that.

I guess that's why he became known as ...

... B-Flat ...

Author's Note

"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life so. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

Quite the story and quite the character. Off to a promising start and somewhere along the line he got derailed...funny, they know how to do just about everything...but they're afraid to try anything. Still, it's a cool nickname.

A good write, Pete.

[Pete]

hard to believe but true. can't make this stuff up. thank you Ted ... :)

[Neville]

We all know and love a Brian.... I'm sure a lotta folk say that... after over forty years, working the streets I effin mean it................

[Pete]

certainly makes life colorful (variety being the spice of life). where would we be without such folks? thanks neville ... :)

[Neville]

You sir.. are far more than welcome... N :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

An interesting and revealing tale of someone with depth and dimension but afflicted by mental illness. A well told tale in rhyming verse Pete. Sensitively told.

[Pete]

thanks John. here's hoping that all of your notes are sharp ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Well Pete it takes all sorts to make a world. All I'm going to say is it would be a dull world if we were all clones. I think all women would steer clear of him you know, and what's more he probably knows that too :) Quite the character. Every town has at least one, some many more. Good read.

Chris.

[Pete]

well, variety is the spice of life as they say and you point it. didn't realize how much this would strike a chord of familiarity with folks. more such people existing than i had thought. thanks for sharing Chris ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Not your one, but there are similar Pete:)

[barleygirl]

Your word portrait is vivid & easily recognizable. I volunteered on a suicide prevention hotline for 2 years & most who called were these kinds of people. It's amazing how similar their delusions & paranoias are & you have presented some common details I listened to, back then. I like that your depiction has some sharp points & you didn't try to "pretty it up" to be politically correct, altho you were mostly gentle in the telling. I do not like the word "constellation" before Orion, as I feel a reader would probably recognize "Orion" . . . if not, perhaps a simple spray of stars would be enuf of a hint, rather than going full explanatory with the word "constellation" *wink! wink!* Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

thanks for your volunteer work and the suggestion. it's funny you mention the word. originally i didn't use it but added it after feeling the need for clarification. on your suggestion i will remove it.
birthday girl! ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Quite an introspective piece, Pete. He reminds me of some people I know - you ask them for the time and they tell you how a watch is made. Cool title, too!

[Pete]

Lol. if you tell him you need to fill up the car with gas you get a thesis on how oil is refined. knows everything but does nothing - afraid to put some skin in the game. this woman we know gave him the nickname because of interest in music and to distinguish him from another Brian that we know - name seemed to fit and so it stuck. thanks Kelly, now do you happen to know the time? ... :)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Lol, good one! ; )