An Emptiness
Max lie awake, restless, the campfire crackling, sending sparks towards the clouded moon. He wondered about the new kid’s story, “Idiot, nearly got his self killed falling off a west bound.”
Max gathered stories and every hobo had one, it always came down to gnawing hunger. Truth be told, an empty belly wasn’t the only hunger that put a drifter on the rails but it sure enough would stick with ya.
“A man gets starved for permanence: a warm bed, a soft woman, a kid, anything that he can call his own; leaves ya with an emptiness that no amount of grub can fill.”
For more Friday Fictioneers visit @Rochelle Wiseoff-Fields here.
What's for dinner, Doc? 
Tracey, Tell us the truth! you were a Hobo once weren’t you? How else can you potray with such precision what goes on in those hearts…
LikeLike
edit: portray . I need spell-check in comments too 🙂
LikeLike
Yes, it’s true. I am an American hobo. I blog with the free wi-fi at Hobe Cafe.
🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like a fun place 🙂
LikeLike
I like the idea of Max collecting stories. Bet he got some good ones.
LikeLike
Alicia,
Max has lots of stories because he is The Storyman.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice work Tracey!
LikeLike
Thank you, I so appreciate my British Blogger pals.
Tracey
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poetically sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A darker side of the idea of Hobos. The lighter side being Leo Sayer’s “Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance)”.
Nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure Max can dance too.
LikeLike
I’m glad to read about Max again. The hunger for a normal life is showing that emptiness clearly. Great story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know yet if Max will get a normal life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very realistic-sounding story of hobos’ lives and wishes. Nice story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ali, I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLike
Starved for permanence – a great image/concept. Lovely language all round.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I don’t know if Max will find any permanence he hasn’t told me his ultimate plan.
LikeLike
I see what you mean by your comment on mine Tracey. 🙂 Good one, the voice was very convincing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story Tracey! I loved it. It took me back to my childhood when “hobos” were prominent and of the stories I would hear about them. Very nostalgic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Joy. I’ll make sure to share when I write more about Max!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
My dad used to tell hobo stories. I think he had some family members who spent time riding the rails. It was quite common in the 20s & 30s. Your story put me right there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, My parents told many stories from the Depression Era.
LikeLike
I like the idea of them all telling stories around the campfire with the full moon and can see him staring up at it pondering it all. That is a terrible kind of emptiness. Well said and well told story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My life is full and I’m grateful for that.
Thanks Amy
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, the voice in this piece is pitch-perfect! Excellent job. You really captured the hobo life and mood.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Portlandian Batgirl. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! You are quite welcome. Should you need a slinky crime-fighter, I’m your gal (but only in my zany imagination)!
LikeLike
I would imagine there are a great many stories hobo’s could tell.
This reminds me of when I was a girl scout leader and we had backyard camping. The girls would make up stories that were entertaining and sometimes scary. Very enjoyable read, Tracey. Nicely done !!! 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the idea of encouraging kids to make up stories. Time well spent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Their imaginations were full of creative thoughts. My daughters range in age from 39 to 48. They still remember those times. I wish parents would do more of that today. 😎
LikeLike
Timeless truth here. Loved the wistful tone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, wistful. That’s a great description. Thank you.
LikeLike
Dear Tracey,
You had me in the moment with Max. Great voice and descriptions. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A moving portrayal of the deeper hunger the homeless must feel. It’s such a shame that in our modern, affluent society, we still have homelessness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Margaret.
LikeLike
You captured the scene beautifully. I hope Max gets chance to make some new stories 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Max has lots of stories and he’s been whispering them in my ear. Thank you Cheryl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How clearly you remind us of all our hungers! And along with wanting something or someone to call our own – we hunger to feel we belong, and are empty when we have no sense of belonging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. Thank you
LikeLike
Life is about collecting stories… some sad, others happy. Wonderful take!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you, I agree
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many types of hunger, well said. Great story, Tracey!
LikeLiked by 1 person