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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

But What's He WANT?

I must admit that I’ve become concerned.

It is 6:52.  I am moments, and blocks, from the beginning of a new work week, a fact that is not lost on my iPod, which responds by playing a requiem by Mozart.

The bus pauses in front of the Minneapolis Central Library, as a bus will do. 

A grand structure known for floors upon floors of books for the borrowing, long lines of children in matching tee-shirts giggling their way through an online dictionary in search of multi-syllabic words for “fart”, and sketchy dudes sprawled on the front steps, the Minneapolis library is near a bus stop.

I turn from my seat, toward the double doors leading into the library and see what I have seen every day for the last two weeks.

Stock still, his back to the street, a man stands perhaps two feet from the library’s entrance, leg akimbo, arms hanging heavy at this sides.  He is wearing more articles of clothing than is necessary for June in Minneapolis.

I stare at his back, willing him to move.

He does not.

He is waiting.

But what is he waiting for?

For its opening, in three hours?

For a “sign”?

For someone to hit “Play”?

Holy Hannah, is that man stuck on Pause?

He doesn’t move.  

He doesn’t scratch himself, check a watch, or shift his feet.

He is waiting.


But for what?

25 comments:

Indigo Roth said...

He's a freak near the bus. Just not ON the bus.

Indigo Roth said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Pearl said...

:-) Indigo. You're right.

Shelly said...

The Pausers and the Wait-ers are peculiar groups of people, governed by rules the rest of us will never understand. I have nothing against them personally, but do hate when I am stuck behind one at a green light~

Silliyak said...

It is apparent that you, and the other commenters thus far, have not received "The Memo". Not having received it by now, you are not likely to get it, thus I cannot divulge it's content. I feel bad about that, perhaps a hint..."So long, and thanks for all the fish"

vanilla said...

The latest statuary at the MPL?

jenny_o said...

Has anyone checked his pulse?

Douglas said...

Since "Time waits for no man" perhaps he is waiting for time?

Pearl said...

Oh you're all in rare form today, aren't you?

:-D

Bill Lisleman said...

Did you check his I-pod maybe he hit a long long guitar riff. Then again perhaps he has reach his destination and has no further plans.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
...either that or you are locked into your own little Groundhog Requiem...

Geo. said...

What's he want? "He" is really two Beckett characters, Vladimir and Estragon, in the condensed version of "Godot". He wants nothing. He waits.

Pearl said...

:-) I love you people.

Anonymous said...

Your very own "standing man".

jabblog said...

He is living art,albeit starting his day rather early.

Saimi said...

Was he REAL??? :)

Gigi said...

Attention...that's all he wants. And because of this post he has achieved it; so his work here is done.

Joanne Noragon said...

From the Crazy Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frank......
Oh, wait. Minneapolis, not Metropolitan

Buttons Thoughts said...

I love a good mystery my imagination is going wild:) B

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

For death or to be struck by lighting.........ok maybe that is not what he is waiting for but it sounds good doesn't it..........

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Or maybe he is too scare to take another step in case he shits his pants...........sorry don't know where that came from

Stef said...

Some questions are better left un-asked.

Tempo said...

He's a statue, a modern sculpture to catch your attention...see, it worked!
Thats another million dollars of Tax Payers money well spent on the arts, Im sure the struggling artist who pockets the measly Mill will be very pleased...

River said...

Perhaps he's at the point in his therapy where he goes to a building he fears, staying for longer each time, when he has mastered that, the next step would be to enter the building and stay for at least one minute.

Diane Stringam Tolley said...


Aarrgghh! But intriguing . . .