The Hopeful Man

B.Loza, 9th - San Ramon, CA
Luis was patiently waiting for the day when his life would turn for the better. Everyday he lost little by little, but he never lost hope. There was no point of holding on to the past, but how could he not. It seemed like just yesterday he had been a young man. That spark in his eyes had vanished and each day he felt his hours tic on by; wasted. He felt numb, confused, but not lost. He had found his purpose a long time ago on the night his mother had died. Only one word stood up to him on that fateful night. Regret. He could have said “sorry” and told her that he loved her with all his heart, but he didn’t. Whatever the reason he only cried and held her hand as the sun dawned. He remained speechless as he felt the warmth of her body leave slowly after dark.

All of these demons and thoughts were so overwhelming and complex that it would cause a contradiction in a large crowd until it tore apart, and yet all of it was crumpled up in his head. A poor lonely vessel like many others walking down and up the streets. So many emotions, and yet no one could feel them. So many pleas and screams of desperation, and yet no one could hear them. No one noticed.

In the end Luis just kept waiting and waiting. He waited for good news or perhaps for a miracle to happen. After all it wasn’t him who needed to change. In his mind he had always been a good man; free of malice. Always the victim. All he needed to do was stand still and let the world reward him for his suffering. It was only fair for the world to repay its debt to him. As the sky turned dark and quietness settled, Luis pocketed the change in his worn out hat and laid his head against the hard cold floor, hoping.