PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox
There are no surveillance bulbs in the market corridors. That job remains with the eyes of the vendors. Where cameras take in impersonal grainy images, sharp eyes recognize shifty movements and remember patterns.
I begin taking produce bins. My goal is to have ninety by the time the baby is born. We need shelter and I have a safe place to build it.
Vendors share with each other about missing bins. I get to eighty when they catch me.
Nowadays I lay on my jail bunk and weep, imagining Maya and our child huddling between dumpsters with the rats.
[99 words]
The title is taken from a poem by Langston Hughes.
Rochelle Wisoff Fields is the effervescent host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
A sad story
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Yes it is :( I had no idea what I would write when I started. I read Langston Hughes’ poem the other day and it stuck with me, which probably directed the story.
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It’s often that way. But very well written
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Thank you, Sadje.
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You’re welcome my friend
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What a clever and sad little tale.
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Thank you, Mason.
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You’re welcome.
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A punch in the gut ~~~ beautifully done!
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Thank you, Helen!
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Well, that was a bleak and dystopian tale for you
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Sometimes I waken from my virtual world and look at the real one. Only tolerable in small doses these days. Thanks for reading and your comment, Neil.
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If it captured your mood, you succeeded
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Thanks, Neil, true.
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Depressing story really, with little hope for a happy ending!
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Yes it is, Iain. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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A very sad tale, Li.
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:( I wish it wasn’t so.
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You do what you have to do sometimes to get by. Sad but true. This was good, and probably happens for real somewhere. :)
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You’re so right, Barbara. I’m sure it does.
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Deadbeat dads are the worst. He goes off to live in his cushy cell leaving his wife and child to live by dumpsters. Maybe she can learn from his example and get a nice cell of her own.
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Now there’s a thought. The rats in the jail are probably well-fed so won’t nibble on her and the baby in the night.
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I love the inspiration I get from the main character who only wants to do best for their family. It’s sad it didn’t work out, but sad endings are more important sometimes.
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Thank you, Emine. It makes me wonder how they found themselves in their situation. It can happen to anyone :(
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Definitely it’s shocking. Makes me think of refugees as well, that could be us anytime with current political status!
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Very sad. Shame on the shop owners to want the guy punished even after they must have learned his story.
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Maybe they will pool resources and get them a place to stay? I hope so.
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and the bankers who steal millions go free…(K)
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YES
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This got to me. The struggle for survival ought not to be a crime.
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I know. I also have known people to commit crimes just to get locked up so they don’t starve :( There is something wrong when people are forced into desperate acts to stay alive.
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Such a well written, albeit sad tale Ms. Jadeli.
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Thank you, GiN.
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A tragic story of a hard life.
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That was very sad. Well done. A great take.
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Sandra, thank you.
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What a good, gut-wrenching portrayal of one family’s struggle, determination and sadness in defeat. Makes me realise how lucky I am.
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Thank you, Jenne, same here.
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Painful to read and yet I feel you’ve honored Hughes in writing it. Lots of civil rights/social justice overtones here, as I see it. Well written.
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You’re on the money with your assessment and I appreciate your feeling I’ve honored Hughes <3
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This so sad, I have seen quite a few hovels/homes constructed out of plastic bottles.
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It truly is heartrending.
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it’s the sign of the times made worse by the pandemic.
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Yes, Plaridel. My heart goes out to all those struggling just to stay alive :(
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Stark and powerful.
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Thank you, Sascha.
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Poverty is the pits. A helpless situation indeed.
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The helplessness yes, the essence of it :(
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A sad tale. You captured well real life for far too many. Nicely done!
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Brenda, thank you very much.
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Sad, difficult to contemplate the realities with which too many live.
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Thank you for reading and your comment.
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Dear Lisa,
The despair is palpable in this tragic (and all too real piece). Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thank you very much.
Shalom,
Lisa
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God you’re good! That was a piece of work, brilliant. Plus my daughter is called Maya and I hope she docent end up in the bins!
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When crates in alleyways start looking inviting it should be your wake-up call. Maya is a beautiful name.
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Indeed, regarding the crates, and doesn’t my daughter know it!!
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What a world to be born into.
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Battling to survive and yet surrounded by unattainable items. A sad story of want in the middle of prosperity.
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No matter how I try I can’t reconcile that discrepancy :(
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Gosh this is heartbreaking
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I hope the vendors help her out.
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What a tragic tale, Lisa. He’s in jail but he’s better off than his wife and child. I hope someone finds and rescues them.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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A poignant tale.
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Thank you, Magarisa.
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You’re welcome, Li.
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Well, that was a sad story. I hope Maya is able to find a safe place to stay. -Johanna
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Johanna. I do too.
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that is very deep! <3 <3 well done!
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Thank you, Carol anne.
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