Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Entry #84

Life Is Beautiful
by Prashant Dhanke


I might die soon.

You put this life into me. Looking at my picture, you painted stories filled with a thousand emotions; each with a different shade. In doing so, you wove the fabric of my soul.

I learnt your ways, saw the amused face of a toddler as he rode me, heard the sweet nothings of the couples as they held hands and stood closely on me, felt the furry feet of a poodle and smelt the stinking shoes.

Talking of shoes, you are right in judging a man by his shoes. As for the women, yes, it’s hard to understand them by any means; so I watch the up-skirts instead.

It’s been fun which, I am afraid, is going to end when you stop creating fantasies based on the photograph. Your ripe imagination is my blood. It did hurt me that your protagonist was always the lad in jeans. He tricked you with his pose; I am a downward moving escalator. I forgive you though; so often you turn blind eye to your own race.

Next time when you use me, just run your fingers on my sides and say “Hello”; I’ll take you down gently if I could feel that. To my right you’ll see a staircase. I see my mother in her. She shares my burden without a word. And would you please drop a red rose in that lift to the front. Tell her that I loved the way she moves.

Isn’t life beautiful!

23 comments:

JR's Thumbprints said...

We have gasoline pumps that talk to us, so why not talking escalators. I liked the familly tree of steps.

Lena said...

i was wondering if someone would write a story from the point of escalator. Liked how you made it. Well done! :)

Kunjal said...

amazing I would say:)

Sameera Ansari said...

Now that was one unique POV!Well done :)

BrownPhantom said...

Many Thanks JR, Lena, Kunjal & Sameera :).

Anonymous said...

Leaves me with million thoughts.. really ..

The Preacherman said...

Now that is magic! A thinking talking escalator. Brilliant!

Anonymous said...

I liked the tone, relaxed with a twinge of sadness. Nicely done!

Pallav said...

that was good man, really good. i'll say hi to the escalator next time i see one ;)

Cheers :)

N

Patsy said...

Aaaw, this made me want to stroke the next escalator I see. (If nobody seems to be looking, then maybe I will)

Aniket Thakkar said...

I am sorry escalator but I prefer the services of your love over taking your ride! lolz! Great imagination man! Well no one can say that you deviated from the topic! :-D

Sarah Hina said...

Fascinating and unique take, Prashant. It's not just any escalator, but our escalator. I particularly enjoyed that angle. Very fanciful!

And very strong writing. I love the nods to the stairs and elevator (or lift). Beautifully imagined!

Tina said...

Interesting! I like it. :) The mother stairs and the love with the lift makes it even more amusing. Good one!

laughingwolf said...

deus ex machina...

Anonymous said...

simply amazing !! great imagination ..I ll sure drom a red rose :)

Esther Avila said...

interesting take...made me smile.
I will probably remember this one next time I get on an escalator - they have feelings too. :)

Margaret said...

Loved the imagination here. An escalator with a soul.
I'll never be able to get on one again without stroking it.

BrownPhantom said...

You all are extremely kind. Thank you so much.
Last heard, our dear escalator(I first named it Elvis but had to remove that part due to word-limit)is very much alive due to all the love he is getting. He's gonna propose the lift anytime now :).

Catherine Vibert said...

I loved this! What a fun take on our escalator! I like that he thinks of his mother when he sees the stairs, that made me laugh out loud. Very imaginative.

Anonymous said...

Apart from the family, I really liked that bit about fooling with his pose on a downward moving escalator. You've got a very uinique pair of eyes Prashant.

Aine said...

Now this is certainly a unique take on the photo! Fun!

I particularly like the title... ;)

bluesugarpoet said...

I knew it had to be a *boy* escalator when he mentioned, "so I watch the up-skirts instead." Funny! Great interpretation of the prompt. :)

- jana

Anonymous said...

Great job with pacing, entertainment value, technical skill, and voice! And welcome to the Forties Club!!

Thanks for being a wonderful part of the contest.