Thank you, Sammi Cox for hosting this challenge. Difficult to not be maudlin with such a word. I hope I brought in a little hope, though.
A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in the comments.
Word Prompt
Derelict
Challenge
Sitting on some cardboard
Coffee cup in grubby hand
Eyes lowered, shame hidden
Side-stepped by passersby
A lump on the ground
Unseen, unheard
Till comes a little boy
Eye-level, steps forward
“Don’t talk to him.
He’s a dirty derelict!”
“No, Mommy,
I see a sad man.”
A Dalectable Life 
Now this is something…
LikeLiked by 1 person
…. good, I hope… 😉
LikeLike
Q,
It’s all about the vantage point, isn’t it?
Well painted portrait of two very different sets of eyes and how they spell the world around them.
Brava!
LikeLiked by 1 person
B,
It sure is.
And I thank you. We should listen to children more often…
LikeLiked by 1 person
From the mouths of babes, comes the unfettered education, that’s fo shiz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. It has been proven that children are taught hate, racism, etc.
We should instead learn from them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sad man indeed. Loved this, Dale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, John. I wanted to not just be negative with my “derelict”…
LikeLiked by 1 person
So tender, Dale
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful,💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miss Poet🧡🧡🧡!
LikeLike
Credit where credit is due 💜💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely poem of the way viewpoints are so different and often it takes a child to see through the prejudice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Andrea… we need their perspective…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The wisdom of children!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one for the kid and the writer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sir
LikeLiked by 1 person
Out of the mouths of babes, a lovely piece, familiar the world over
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, kind sir!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve got a flight in 4 hours, might just have time for this
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go for it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Problem is who I’ve got sat next to me, reading over my shoulder. Which has given me an idea💡!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool!
LikeLike
Children always see the truth 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That they do…😊
LikeLike
I love this, Dale. The little boy saw the man beneath the dirt and shame and felt compassion. The wisdom of children.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ina – we should all have their wisdom….
LikeLike
A sad yet captivating tale – you’re so gifted!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! How kind are you? 😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
If only we could all see through the eyes of a child. Very well done. What I said before, I love reading your progress.
Shalom and hugs,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
We so should. The world would be a much lovelier and compassionate place, wouldn’t it be?
Muah! xoxo
Lotsa love,
Dale
LikeLike
Excellent. Children are so innocent and compassionate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Yes. We should emulate them..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person