Being an accomplished white middle aged man in my sixties, it’s my burden to give advice to others especially when they don’t ask for it. They’re the ones who need my advice the most.
I was walking to work after stopping at Breadcraft for my tasty morning pastry and large iced coffee. Ordinarily I don’t see color. Like, seriously, this was the first time I ever saw a brown man on Church Street. He was walking towards me hugging a cardboard box to his chest, as if it held all his worldly possessions. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty and his hair was tussled, but not in a fashionable way like mine.
I always treat people with the respect they deserve so I told him, “Hey, you there, these possessions are weighing you down. You need to jettison them. Be fleet of foot and light of heart. Don’t chain yourself to meaningless things. They just slow you down. Oh, yeah, and get a job, okay?”
When I got to my office of many windows, where I can look down on the street people, I wondered. Do I follow my own advice? Am I weighed down by useless possessions? Of course not, I laughed. I don’t need that mountain house. I haven’t been there in 18 months. I’m perfectly happy with just my high-rise condo and my beach house. I could jettison that mountain home tomorrow. As for my Mercedes, I could get rid of that, no problem. I’d just drive my Range Rover or Lexus. And three girlfriends? I don’t need three. Becca’s a pain in the ass. I could jettison her tomorrow. In fact, let’s get started on that right now.
Knowgood Carp, Owner of all the Hotels on Block Island and Some in Connecticut.
Pungent Sound Journal of Pulp Poetry 
Love, love, love this! I could jettison two of those ‘love’ words but no!
Gwen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. Thanks very much, Gwen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your sensitivity does you credit. I’m so glad to see you’ve emerged from your cocoon of self-doubt to flagellate yourself in public like this. This will be a key in your journey to an improved lived experience and true allyship.
I do have a suggestion for a way to move forward but I do not wish to to presume.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ordinarily I don’t see color either but I am blinded by green, overcome with envy that you are such a better man than me (and also a damned good writer)!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha. Thanks, Geoff. You’re too kind. And I see green also, but usually only in the form of paper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sublime and wonderful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much, JMN.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Being an accomplished white middle aged man in my sixties, it’s my burden to give advice to others especially when they don’t ask for it. They’re the ones who need my advice the most.”
– Your candor and insight demonstrate that you are a credit to your race and sex.
LikeLike
I only re-read the first para and started laughing. Thanks!!!
Gwen.
LikeLike