Learning Incapacity (620 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.33 on 15 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Sarah Prejean <derivablezero.at.gmail.com> (View user info) at 2005-04-13 16:04:47 EDT
Above my bed hangs a candid photograph of a nine-year-old boy smiling at his father. Neither of them knew that I took the picture, and will probably never find out.
In the background of the picture, the buildings look as if they are bowing along with their lightning rods, laying pot plant leaves at my feet. The donkey's traffic grunt echoes through the black and white images of smiling father and son, just three feet above my pillow.
The day that I took the picture, I had been given my messiah. He was wedged between to glossy pieces of red cardboard. I am too shy with strangers to ever say no, so I gained faith--thanks to the selfless persistence of a nine-year-old. Except, when I walked away with the little book in my hand I closed my eyes. Multi-hued memories attacked the backs of my lids. But that was okay, because I had a smile on my face and God in my hand.
When I opened my eyes I saw a world filled with a fluctuating disco-ball reflecting each individual. I watched them thrust themselves upon eager profit prophecies. I saw their neon halos perched, guiding imprudent eyes to the largest amounts of money in the shortest amounts of time. I had stumbled off of numbered pages and realized how needy inanimate objects had become.
But that was okay, because once I coughed it all down I still had my glossy book burning like money in my pocket. Then I thought that maybe, when there are only overly ornamental churches built for architectural feat rather than the practicality of rock foundations built for brains rather than empty bodies; or when silver crosses are not bolstered by sinners but by the pure and righteous; or perhaps when bread and wine are realized to have little to no nutritional value; or when we stop choking plastic trees with tacky tinsel to give thanks to the day alone--maybe then I will be able to rejoice in the little boy's efforts without my sinful cynicism or simple retorts.
But when I turned around I saw his father waiting nearby, and I grabbed my camera. I snapped a picture of the two of them: the boy smiling in awe at his father and the father waving at a friend across the street. After the flash, I flicked them a passing glance and dropped the book on the ground, praying the little boy would forgive me.
Knowing that for the rest of my life I will see that picture and wonder what he sees when he closes his eyes.
User Reviews
Submitted by shitfuck (user info) at 2005-04-15 03:30:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fucking deep.
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2005-04-13 20:32:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I could come up with a hundred things that this was about.
I think one of them might be that you're off the medication.
Stay off it please.
Submitted by darko (user info) at 2005-04-13 20:20:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I think you are shitfuck's alter.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2005-04-13 18:01:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Can a discoball fluctuate? I'm not sure.
Submitted by ruthless (user info) at 2005-04-13 17:50:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I read it four times.
Fantastic.
Once I concentrated, instead of skipping over the words like stones skip on a lake, I was able to see the scene in my head.
I don't know about other people, but when I read something, I want it to make me think, and/or bring out emotion... this actually accomplished both. Thanks!
Submitted by DerivableZero (user info) at 2005-04-13 17:07:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
It's basically just me wondering what Christians have that I don't. Thank you for the compliments, though.
I want to know if they see the world the way I do or if Jesus takes that away.
Submitted by thecaes (user info) at 2005-04-13 17:03:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I feel foolish for saying it, but I didn't get it. It was very pretty, though.
Submitted by loki (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:55:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm a bit lost, but it was interesting.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:50:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
blah blah blah God church blah blah
Submitted by wanderingsharps (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:41:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Very nice Mrs. Prejean.
Very nice indeed.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:26:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Sarah darling, you know I love you baby, but when you talk this way, I have to make you take the Risperdal - we don't want another episode like last time, do we?
Love,
JonnyX
Submitted by Josephine (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:19:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good. I wasn't creeped out in the beginning, only intrigued.
Submitted by DerivableZero (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:16:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
That's cool. I can understand how it would do that. It's just a reminder, for me. Sometimes I don't think all the way when I write things.
Thanks for pointing it out. :)
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:11:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i stopped reading after the first sentence. that kinda creeped me out.
Submitted by DerivableZero (user info) at 2005-04-13 16:05:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
to = two