gravelly,
her voice
perfumes the air,
strong with stale cigarette,
chattering,
between
bites of
McDonald's pancake.
with her two year old,
at a wooden corner table
in the back of starbucks
spreading their
happiness
to all those
waiting in line.
she's lonely
at times
but she's alright,
making the most
of time with
her daughter.
Tell a story in 55 words. Give it a try or just read more, go see g-man.
just a lady i saw in the coffee shop the weekend i was in maryland. made me think of the single moms i know that are still making a life for their kids. have a great weekend everyone!
Brotin Tales is back tomorrow!
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112 comments:
Lots of single moms out there. I was one. Hard work but precious nevertheless. Nice writing and I like how you find scenes in your surroundings as you are out and about to write stories that grab our interest.
fabulous descrition of what seems to be the norm these days, single parents, well written in digression as always :) Happy Easter mate.
it is always an enjoyable read!
single moms have to think and work as both a man and a woman, which makes it difficult at times.
I am glad that you give it a high light.
How nice of you to acknowledge the lone mothers of the world. And to notice how their happiness was contagious.
I was a single mom for about 4 years...kudos to them. It's not an easy ride.
Terrific...Im not single but I think Ive been there too..we all feel alone somtimes..!...Ive been told my energy and joy are contagious as well..I loved your poem..!
eva, you got that so right...
can't imagine how difficult it must be...my kids are lucky, oh boy are they ever.
looking forward to the brotin!
Oh, man. Been there, gettin' down with my single-mom-ness. No gravelly voice, but totally secure in having everything I could possibly need, in that moment.
Mine is a juicy combo-pack this week- it is here and also, just because I couldn’t stop myself… also, here.
Have a happy Easter Brian, It amazes me when you can describe such a setting in 55 words. I loved it. Take care.
I love how her voice perfumes the air! I was a single mom for a few years - it's tough. Mine's up here - hopefully.
Being a single parent is hard...being any kind of parent is hard. Great job on your 55.
421 FOLLOWERS???? WTF?
Well I can understand why, you are one uplifting, positive, and caring Human Being Brian...
Excellent 55 My Friend, there is great inspiration in observation.
Have a Kick Ass Week-End...G
Wonderful tribute to single moms, Brian, and you've yet again managed to put so much detail in so few words.
Been there, done that! Some great memories and life lessons.
Wow, once again you describe something so ordinary wonderfully.
I was a single mom for 2 years and did my best during that time. I have some sweet memories from that time. :)
Glad to see your muse is refreshed and back at work again.
You say *so* much with those 55 words...and make it look easy. I know it's not. Well, not for me anyway! :)
-Corrie
The poetry of the seemingly mundane moment - which at closer glance becomes anything but mundane. I once saw a mother buy one small burger and split it between two children. The mother didn't eat. I often wondered about that scene. What did I witness?
Brilliant study in humanity. Too bad she doesn't know about this. Might be nice to know someone noticed. Nice job.
http://jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/55-single-dad/
I have written a single Dad for 55,
hope that you like it.
thank you for the beautiful inspiration, this is my first time writing a fiction or story in 55 words...without reading yours, I have No clue how to start...
thank you,
have a nice Friday ahead!
Such excellent imagery. I was looking forward to yours.
one doesn't always have to be unmarried to be a single mom. love your observations. ;0)
I can just picture them, Brian...thanks for the glimpse into that family.....
I almost saw myself, except I don't smoke, and my kids are grown. But still...
I'm thankful I wasn't a single mom while the kids were that young. There are things about being a single mother that are hard, but also great joys involved in keeping their lives good.
I hope this doesn't happen for me and my mum.
A life sure, but perhaps not as we know it...
I got a taste of how hard it would be when Hubby was sick. I thought things were hard before.... Boy did I miss him.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend with your lovely family.
from a single mom, thanks for writing such a simple and honest piece. :)
This could have been me if there had been Starbucks 25 years ago. This played out in my life at that time in McDonald's.
I love the memories this 55 brings.
PG
nicely done. I look forward to the brotin tale tomorrow!
Everyday heros...there are so many in all differnet walks of life. Their strength is amazing.
Brian: Reminds me of many, many young moms of kids at the school where I work. Many not more than little kids themselves. Came from nowhere and going nowhere. But most love their kids. D
I take my hat off to single parents. Such a dedication. Such love and determination. :)
That is Great and So true! Master of 55 :-)
Love the idea of telling story in 55 words. Yeah don't think I could do it, well maybe I could not sure if anyone would understand. Great blog btw
awsome loved it. one of my favorite Brian miller poems
A slice of life in 55 thoughtful words, Brian! It can't be easy for single parents - it's not even with two!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend with your family!
Yup, you did it again. Pulled me in.
I love the last stanza.
Vivid capture on this one. Blessings out to all those single parents. Thank you for shaping our future.
Okay you lived this, I mean watched this right?.....:-) Hugs
You hit the nail on the head once again. You could have been writing about me.
Well observed and written!
Aloha from Hawaii my Friend-
Comfort Spiral
the observant eye speaks again! sigh....makes me want to go people watch, yip, going to dedicate some time for that tomorrow... thanks!
Definetly major props to all the single mother's out there.
Excellent encapsulation of everyday life. What we overlook as mundane is really quite extraordinary.
YAY for single Mums...
Again you paint a wonderful picture with your words.
Seems a bit lonely in the crowd to me...as well as naughty for smoking!
a rather familiar scene
and you tell it so well!
Well done, Brian!
Happy Easter!
Mine is here
hugs
shakira
Very nice, Brian. As a mother who raised three sons alone, I had to grab brief moments with them whenever I could. Shawn was an only child until he was eleven but he helped raise his other two brothers from the time they were one and three.
This post reminds your lovely wife how lucky she is and how important you are to her, being a caring, thoughtful, and intelligent husband.
Without you, life is totally different, I hope that while we enjoy this writing and give single mom the attention they deserve, we are also reminding ourselves (who have happy marriages) non-single moms are lucky, their husbands make life whole...
magical writing,
magical touches!
Happy Friday,
Enjoy A Smiling Weekend with the ones you love.
cheers!
;)
Tight poem, well phrased.
I looked at why she may have been a single mom My story is here
I was a single mom too for awhile...spent a lot of time at McDonald's...loved those Happy Meals. Great poem!
Hugs
SueAnn
You've given all single moms a fitting tribute, it made me think of all that I know... You're such a great writer
Lovely observation, as always. Happy that you have such a strong voice and see everyone in a positive light. (Wish everyone could).
(As a single parent for all of my child's life, I occasionally am stunned by the negative judgment out there.)
Anyway - thanks Brian.
I wish the single mothers I knew had a clue as to how decent a life they could have if they would simply change the perspective off themselves to their kids.
Very nice, simple and touching. It must be tough indeed raising a kid on one’s own! Kudos to these brave women and men who do this.
Kind of makes me think of what it was like for my Mother.
Get in touch with me when you can sometime today.
I have never been a single mum but my mother was. She raised me, my sister & my brother all on her own. She worked as a teacher aid during the week & for many years as a nurse on the weekends up until just recently when she retired. She did a fabulous job raising us on her own. She is my hero.
Great 55 Brian...a single parents job..is not an easy one!
Wonderful observation. You captured the moment well.
I'm curious...do you carry a note pad around and jot things down as they come to you? How do your remember all these things that inspire your writing???
Once again your use of only 55 words to tell a complete and compelling story was perfection. ;) Looking forward to the Brotin tale! :)
I really like this. Very nice. I was a single mom for a while until Gary. It was fun. A little stressful, but very fun. I love my kid so much. Just in case you ever wondered... : )
Found you through blue violet at nutshell..love your blog following now..
My daughter is a single parent...this really hit home with me.
Mine is posted HERE. As always, scroll down below my Friday Show n Tell to find my 55.
Have a great holiday weekend.
After I started reading your poems now even I've started observing things more closely and yes, if we keep our eyes open we see so many things around. I should Thank you for the good read and showing me the power of keen observation.
Beautiful Brian, I love it. :)
I hope though, that this isn't from your observance of someone, because for all you know, she's not a single mom at all! hahahahahaha! :D
As a single mom, I still enjoy times with my college-aged son... and I'm glad he still wants to spend time with me.
I was a single mum a long time ago so this struck a chord Brian, thankyou. x
Happy Easter to you and your family.
My 55 is up too.
nice
Awesome 55. Very well written...:)
Great job! Amazing what you can say in 55. :)
nice image. hail all single parents. Never been one but feels like it sometimes.
My 55 is up
an excellent portrait. i'm glad you only took a couple of days off.
happy Easter to you and your family!
How serene. Painted an awesome picture!
Excellent, Brian!
And I bet her child will remember having fun with Mom, who spoke kindly to others...and have no clue about a bank account or lack of one. Well said! Happy Easter!
Togetherness, that's what counts. I was a single Mom for a good many years but the times spent with my boy were like gold dust in my heart.
Happy Easter to you and yours.
Amazing Brain
My compliment .....
you are a great writer :-)
Have a
H_A_P_P_Y
E_A_S_T_E_R
(@^.^@)
Don't forget the single dads making the most of what they can with their little ones.
I like the vibe of this one. Nice observation.
Well written and a nice story of single moms in the world. Happy Easter to you!
My 55 is here if you'd like to read.
Great imagery, and you captured the feelings well to; determination, perseverance, as well as living life for the moment, and enjoying the time they have now.
Salutations to the single mom!
great stuff..keep writing pls
Would also like to invite you to pay me a visit at my page:
http://www.assorted-platter.blogspot.com
your opinion would be invaluable!
Tx
That is good.
Nuts in May
Great poem, Brian
I love how you people watch. Great piece. Although I would like it better if the setting was Dunkin Donuts. Smiles.
I’m up right HERE
and i see it through the child's eyes. well done.
My wife was a single mom for almost 11 years before we met. I have one great son thanks to her (never easy) efforts.
Great post.
Good imagery... I think we have all seen a version of that, and it makes me grateful I had a mom and a dad all my life..
As a single mum - thank you!
Her voice perfumes the air strong with stale cigarette - quite a picture.
nice!
how did it go speaking at the youth retreat?
Thanks, Brian, for your comment on my blog. I hope you and your family have a lovely Easter.
'her voice
perfumes the air,
strong with stale cigarette,
chattering,
between
bites of
McDonald's pancake'
love this bit very much
good work..
Well done my friend. I like the "making the most of time" All parents should do that regardless if they are together or apart. Happy Easter to you and your family :)
the plight of a single mom! Now it is almost the norm. :(
Have a great weekend and stay out of Maryland! :D
This is a great poem. Thanks
I can picture that description in my head. Very nice! Have a Happy Easter!
Bitter sweet portrait.
Honest and touching.
It's both sad and happy at the same time.
the story of my life... except i don't smoke (anymore) and i've never taken the tike to mcd's
ciao brian, this made me smile, bittlersweetly.
ciao, lola in her treehouse (come up if you like)
wow io6 posts how sweeeeeeeeeeet is that great feeling to be so well loved eh ?. If I could only imagine. Thanks Brian for stopping by and reading Zephyrs Revenge part 6 think that one was great ? wait til next week. All six posts are below in case you missed one or two... just follow the link below.
Zephyr's Revenge part 6
I like that you are writing real life observations. They give deeper meanings.
The Starbucks and McDonald's together struck me. Different tastes from commercial kitchens, not home. Powerful and touching.
Broken marriages are not common here in my part of the world. But one of my very close friend's mom is a single mom. I've seen her pain. I've seen my friend's pain more, with a single parent. Its really so dis-heartening.
Trip to Gorai Beach
Dressing while Camping
My mom was a single mom for a while and it was very tough. They say you don't remember much of your childhood when you get older. YOu do. And a lot of it is either really good or really bad.
Thanks, Brian. I spent 16 years as a single mom. and there were times my kids were my only joy. Those little moments were so precious. You described it well.
You paint such strong pictures with your words.
That was great! In my humble single mom opinion, thank you for such a brilliant post! ;)
Nice 55. This is a scene I've seen many times in various coffee shops-- Well said and perfectly captured.
jj
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