Thursday, January 28, 2010

55 - roadside wooden cross

thwock
thwock
thwock

each hammer fall rings
stirring memories
of the freckle-faced girl
too little to lose
to a man consumed by
one more for the road
leaving her world in tears
marking this roadside wooden cross

thwock
thwock
thwock

her wedding band hangs
on a second cross
for the man she could not save.

Tell a story in 55 words. Give it a try or just read more, go see g-man.

109 comments:

Susan said...

Wow..what a topic to tackle. This is a tale many should read before they imbibe and think they ae just buzzed.

I'm up right HERE

William Manson © 2010 said...

erm lol, na will leave this to the pros mate ur very good at this and this was another prime example :)

MaryRC said...

wow, very very very well done.

buffalodick said...

Way to bring me down...I know one of those crosses- killed by a good man in a pure accident

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

powerful 55 powerful!!!

poeticgrin said...

"her wedding band hangs
on a second cross
for the man she could not save."

Damn good!

Brian Miller said...

sorry buffalodick....it was on my mind today.

Mighty M said...

Nice.

CottageGirl said...

Wow! Powerful, Brian! You really should publish it so everyone can feel the pain and understand how drunk driving can not only take lives ... but changes others.

secret agent woman said...

That is so sad. I know I'll think about that next roadside memorial I see.

Ms Hen said...

You know I'm in Al-Anon and ACOA.. so I love this message.

Bernie said...

I can't believe I am allowing your 55 words to make me feel so bad. This is so sad.......:-) Hugs

G-Man said...

Brian...
Powerful and hard hitting.
In my opinion, this is your best 55 yet!
Thank you for this Gem, and have a Kick Ass Week-End...G

Peter Stone said...

That's heart breaking, Brian, I've seen too many of those roadside wooden crosses. You've shown us the cost it has upon family members in so few words.

My 55 is HERE

Ocean Girl said...

Wow.

I must tell G-man 55 is too easy for you.

Ronda Laveen said...

I agree with Gman. Shiver me timbers.

Won't be playing this week as too much going on but I will miss it.

justsomethoughts... said...

yeah
i'm glad its only 55
there are some left for the rest of us

brian, you've sold your soul to the devil, haven't you...

i knew it.

Leah said...

I always see those crosses...and wonder about each tragic story...

Mama Zen said...

This is really powerful.

Luisa Doraz said...

You do have a way of capturing the inside thoughts of all of us. You get us to "think." Thanks for stopping into my blog! Have a happy Friday! :)

She Writes said...

The day I wrote of driving to the lake I saw a cross covered in flowers along a country road. It made me so sad to think of the people who placed it and see it when they drive by...

Brian, beautiful, as always. I like these short posts because they force you to choose each word with great care and still tell a vivid story. SOmeday I will join y'all.

Cabo said...

Well that's depressing as hell.

Kate Hanley said...

Such a difficult topic but yet so poignant. Well done.

Maggie said...

Just a few words can bring out so many feelings!

slommler said...

Well written Brian! Very touching! Here in New Mexico we have many roadside markers. They are well decorated and honored.
Hugs
SueAnn

Chef Kar said...

Too many of those roadside memorials on our highways and byways. A tribute for those loved and lost by those too selfish to just say "no".

You'll find mine here...with an added request to pray for my son and anyone you know that may be in need:

Friday Flash 55 ~ Wounded Bird

Her Majesty Lisa (LadyWanderlust) said...

such a powerful way to address such an important topic and only in 55 words.

Every time I see a cross, I imagine the family of the person for whom the cross was erected. It always make me so sad.

willow said...

It's sad to see those memorial crosses and the loses they represent.

willow said...

I meant to say "losses"...but you knew that :^)

jaymiethorne said...

I really need to find some time to dig through the archives here. Not sure what led you to my blog but so glad to have you in my reader! Added you to my blogroll as well (hope that is okay).

Grand Pooba said...

Whoa, that's a lot to digest in just 55 words.

Janna said...

Ouch!
Very well done.

I can actually hear each "thwack."

My own Friday 55 (slightly less serious) is posted right HERE.

Felicitas said...

Wow! As always, your stories have heart and a message. LOVE this one!

C.M. Jackson said...

a place of memory--so common now one can't look away--kudos-c

Marla said...

Really good, Brian

Muthering Heights said...

I like that!

Joanna Jenkins said...

You knock me out. That's was fabulous.
jj

smarmoofus said...

Stellar writing again, Brian. What a tragic story.

-smarmoofus

Kathy's Klothesline said...

You captured a lot of pain in so few words!

Vodka Logic said...

There is one right up the street from me.. very sad.

Vodka Logic said...

I am going to attempt a 55 poem for Fridays blog.

Captain Dumbass said...

That was impressive.

Eternally Distracted said...

Heartbreaking :0(

Larry said...

Sad but true at times.


Sweetest Of Sorrows


Thanks ahead of time for leaving your commentI enjoy them and their appreciated too.
Larry

anthonynorth said...

A heavy subject today, expertly handled.

Protege said...

Aw, this is so very sad...
Made me almost cry...
But this is a part of life as well.
Have a nice day my friend,
xo
Zuzana

järnebrand said...

Powerful. And sad. An important message, too. Thank you.

Bethan said...

I don't think I can do anything in 55 words :( apart from maybe say..I fail lol!! Excellent imagery here. Thansk for writing and sharing!!

Mrsupole said...

What is amazing is that you always see fresh flowers with the cross. And to realize that every week a loved one has to do this. Very sad and usually they are kept up for at least a year. If any of them save another life then they are worth putting up.

God bless.

Bethan said...

Wow, er, I don't think I can do anything in less than 55 words mayhap say, thanks lol!!

Kim A. said...

Yep...exactly why I go to Alanon. It's a family disease. Your 55 today is powerful today. Sad..but true.

Have a great weekend..I'm going to my meeting Monday..and grateful for it.

namaste

Dianne said...

so much so clearly said
ineed to say goodbye to someone in an ICU tonight, this has inspired me to try

MINE IS HERE

Candie Bracci said...

This is so sad but wonderful as always!Have a wonderful weekend Brian!

Roxy said...

Tragic, yet so well written! Awesome job of tackling such a tough emotional subject, Brian. Hats off to you!!!

SandyCarlson said...

Seems to me he left with her some loneliness he could not heal in himself. Very sad and very well written.

Crystal Jigsaw said...

In a nutshell, thought-provoking and powerful, everyone should have a copy.

CJ xx

the walking man said...

Any person can only find their own way it is unfortunate that they take so many hearts with them when they lose the path.

Tripat "Prerna" said...

Thanks and really nice to meet you.
Please visit my other blog also http://sparkledaroma.blogspot.com/

Jasmine said...

Very powerful.

Dorraine said...

Such powerful thoughts and words, Brian!

I wanted to stop by and thank you for stopping by Wonderland the other day and leaving your kind comment:-)

Very nice blog!

LadyFi said...

Oh, so moving... says she reaching for the Kleenex.

Daniel said...

I read this a couple of times and let its power and message just wash over me. Somehow I was there and a witness. Dang, now I've got to clear my head.

Jessie said...

powerful, sad, too realistic

you can really write Brian

with tears in my eyes,

Heidi said...

I see way too many of those crosses around. Even one is too many.

otin said...

Probably your best 55! perfect blend of style and message!

TechnoBabe said...

You knocked another 55 out of the park. This sparks so much emotion in the reader from fear to anger. Lots being said in this little post. Great job, Brian.

Jaime said...

heartbreaking, but very well done

jingle said...

you are naught man who always enjoy play with fancy and funny stuff...

i like the sound of your WORDS.

Jadey said...

What an emotional 55 Brian nice job. Mine is up and its a tear jerker too. Have a great weekend.

AmyLK said...

Very nice.

Meeko Fabulous said...

You never cease to amaze me. Such a powerful and touching story in so few words. (but I guess that's kind of the point, right?) ;)

Magpie said...

I had so many things to say, but in reading all the other comments - it's all been said. Very touching.

Titanium said...

The one I couldn't save was a motorcyclist, split in two by a five-time convicted drunk driver. I was a medic, first on scene.

He was a father, brother, son and husband. God help those who gamble with the lives of others every Friday night- every time I hear someone say, "It's just one beer..." I feel the urge to crack just one bottle over their head.

KJ said...

Nice.

Sad.

I always get a little bummed when I see a cross on the road or next to a sign.

Realliveman said...

Nice 55!. Very cool blog. I will be back for more!

Poetikat said...

We were on the same wavelength again, Brian. You read, "Two Wood Boxes", right?

Really strong piece.

Kat

JStar said...

Serious topic here...Great write!

Lou said...

You touched my heart. Thanks for this one...

Drahdrah said...

so powerful... well done !

Susan at Stony River said...

Sometimes I'm so grateful for what I've got -- and for what I *don't* have. Thanks for a grateful moment Brian. Beautifully told!

rxBambi said...

it is very powerful. I'm going to have to agree with that one guy tho. You know, the one who said you've sold your soul to the devil. Yeah.

♥Georgie♥ said...

wow wow wow....I'm speechless

Doctor FTSE said...

Great "short", Brian. One every second weekend on our backroads in North East Scotland. The distillery workers sample their own product, and . . . the roads are kinda twisty, and . . .

Cindy said...

DANG!

sarah said...

awesome Brian. very powerful

KB said...

You broke my heart in 55 words. This is the best I've read so far this week. Well done.

hope said...

It is heartbreaking, and yet it reminds us of how fragile, and WONDERFUL, life is. If we're only careful.

Nicely done.

Dr.John said...

Great 55.

maryrestaino said...

It's a sad fact, many innocent people are killed every year by drivers under the influence.

The Retired One said...

I hope this sad piece does remind someone not to drink and drive. Not even ONCE.
The same goes for texting and driving, which is an epidemic right now and just as dangerous.
Touching, Brian and oh, so true...

Anonymous said...

You are fucking AWESOME man!!!

Brian Miller said...

thanks Anon...lol.

Titanium, i have a few of those "on the scene" stories...whew!

blueviolet said...

That is so sad and unfortunately too real for too many.

Prayer Girl said...

Brian - Your 55 hits at the very heart of the meaning of addiction and its effect on everyone close to the addict.

Hits very close to home for me and I'm sure many of your readers.

Great!

PG

Eaton Bennett said...

Your 55's are always excellent, interesting reads...even when they present a challenge to the emotions. :))

Lulda Casadaga said...

At first I thought you were going to write about those 3 giant Crosses you see sometimes...ah, but yes, too many of those little crosses are popping up on every curve. So sad...

CatLadyLarew said...

Wow... powerful 55.

Enchanted Oak said...

A stunner. Good work, Brian.

Prats said...

perfect !!!

Baino said...

My God 99 comments. I guess that makes me the 100th amazing following there Brian. Very sad 55. So many of these over here. All young kids, all driving too fast.

Valerie said...

100 comments, guess I'm starting the second hundred! This was powerful and profound, Brian. Loved it immensely.

schererart said...

Very sad, but nicely written. Powerful indeed. Wow!

mama-face said...

This is a really beautiful post over a tragic subject. Nicely done.

Corrie Howe said...

I agree very powerful. Where we live there are a lot of these on the roads. I remember the stories behind most of them. This is the first place I've lived where the state leaves them up.

Lizzie said...

Whoah! Brian, you have nailed this topic. (No pun intended, really.) I'm totally taken back and completely moved. Great job!

Who Is Tim Burton? said...

Hi! Brian,
What a very thought provoking post...and in 55 words to express the "hazard" of drunk driving (or drinking while driving...)
Thanks, for sharing!
DeeDee ;-(

Smart Mouth Broad said...

So very, very sad. Bravo!

lime said...

what a powerful image you have conjured in so few words. just...wow.

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