THIS NOTHINGNESS
by
Kelvin M. Knight
Try blindfolding me – I will work those bands loose. Try gouging out my eyes – still I will see. Gag me, suffocate me, starve me, decapitate me. I am still here.
Here where I belong – in my beloved Mother Country where I feel everything. These years of excess and waste. These years of quietness and austerity. These years belong to all of you crowding around me, all of you looking inside me but seeing nothing. Yet I have nothing to hide, nothing to fear.
The fear is inside you. Those masks you wear blind you. One mask for every task. One day they will crush you, suffocate you. If you’re lucky, maybe one day they’ll all crack.
I wonder what you will see then? Life as it should be, or life as it was?
Come, sit beside me, let me show you there’s more to this nothingness than meets the eye.
(150 words)
The above story was written in response to Karen and Josh’s What Pegman Saw prompt, which this week took us to Poland.
To read the other contributors’ expeditions across Poland, please click the la’al blue frog below.
As others have said, your story has powerful truths in. Good writing Kelvin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Woman Walking Max. Max is one lucky dog.
LikeLike
“Life as it should be or life as it was ” What a piercing question you pose.
Very well written, Kelvin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was in a very reflective mood when I wrote this, Penny. Surprised? Sorry it’s taken so long to reply. I have only just seen this as I revamp my website. Hope you don’t think I have been avoiding you.
LikeLike
Nothingness must be especially agonizing for Eros. One would have thought being bound would have been challenging enough but to endure forever in a state of nothingness?? I am interested to know what wisdom he will impart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Violet. So sorry for late response to your thoughtful comment. I have only just spotted it as I revamp my blog.
LikeLike
I think this is one of my favorite pieces you’ve written. The rhythm is spot on, word choice even better and the message? You hit it out of the park. Kudos!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lish I am so so sorry for taking so long to reply to this. I have only just spotted it. x
LikeLike
Love this. So many wonderful lines. My favorite: “Those masks you wear blind you.” Larger and larger truths woven throughout. This nothingness really packs a punch.
LikeLiked by 3 people
thank you for your lovely comment, Karen. So so sorry it has taken me so long to reply – I have only just spotted this as I go through revamping my blog. And sorry for dipping out of WPS this last fortnight – been busy attending funerals.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, sorry to hear that. Take care and I hope to see you when you are able.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be interesting to hear what a statue of Stalin might say! Good stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know. I shied away from that. Cowardly, eh? The only talking statue story I have written based on famous historical figures is an 800 word multiple viewpoint story based on August Rodin’s Burghers of Calais sculpture .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not cowardly, Kelvin. Maybe just a piece that requires more than 150-words.
LikeLiked by 1 person