Insanity On A Short Leash

The noonday Carolina sun beat in liquid waves on the black asphalt of the parking lot.

95 degrees and still climbing; people looked drained and, irritable.

The parking lot was full cars that shimmered like mirages in a concrete desert.

Small beads of perspiration hung precariously on my brow, and then I saw him.

He was standing near a brick column dressed in a large overcoat and ski cap.

I stopped a few feet away from him to observe and try to understand this oddity.

Shoppers walked by him without giving him a second glance, it was if he were a ghost.

While watching, I saw what so preoccupied his mind; he was counting the bricks in the column.

Though several feet away his odor overpowered the sweet smells of the sidewalk flowers.

His ratty shoes had holes in them and his big toe protruded from them.

His fingernails were long and caked with black beneath the extended nail.

And still people passed him by like he was not even there.

Concerned, I walked closer and spoke…”It’s a hot one today, aint it”? I said.

He turned and smiled, revealing years of dental neglect and simply said “342”.

“342 what”, I asked.? “342 bricks in this column he added, and resumed his counting.

“Hey, what do you say I buy us some lunch, I’m starving”.

132,133,134….

“Are you hungry”? I pointedly asked.

“Nope” he said with that sad smile, and then turned back to his counting.

Already late for work I left and went into the deli for my veggie plate to go.

When I came out he was still there counting….19,20,21…..

I walked up to him and told him to have a nice day and slipped a twenty in his overcoat.

29, 30, 31…..

When I got to my car, I got the number to mental health and called them.

Right or wrong??? I don’t know, for I live by my heart and today I saw first hand…

Insanity on a very short leash…

J. Allen Wilson  © 6/26/2009**** Full Moon productions 7/7/2009