His mind was somewhere else, miles and miles away. His eyes had that faraway look. He was in deep thought, pondering the mysteries of life or maybe even thinking about his own future. His fingers played deftly, wielding the erhu expertly the way only practiced hands can. The music resonated in the air mournful, slow, and melancholic, pregnant with sorrow yet mellifluous. Reality beckoned him back. The sound of a penny or two being dropped into his collection brought him back to reality. Smiling gratefully at his benefactors, he continued to play the erhu. Just for a while all his worries are eclipsed by his upturned face. But the smile slowly fades away, giving way to his worries, the worries of a lifetime etched deep in his wrinkles.
This poem was written in response to Sadje’s What Do You See prompt #84. Thank you, Sadje for hosting this challenge. The challenge is to use the picture prompt as inspiration to compose an original story, poem, or a caption. This was my last minute take on the prompt.
For the visually challenged reader, the image shows an older man sitting on a bench by a park. There is a trolley bag behind him. He is playing a stringed instrument and has a collection bag by his feet.
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, also known as the Chinese violin.
Image courtesy: Sadje
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This fabulous 😍
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Thank you ☺️
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An exquisite response to the photo prompt Shweta
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Thanks a lot, Ivor. I’m so happy to hear that 😃
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My pleasure 😄
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Beautiful dear Shweta. 👏👏👏
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Thanks a lot, Preeths 😃
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You’ve captured his life well through your words, Shweta. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Aiswarya 😃
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Beautiful poem Shweta. You’ve written of this man’s feelings, hopes and worries so realistically. Thanks a lot for joining in
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I’m so happy to hear that. I struggled a bit with this prompt. Fortunately, inspiration struck yesterday and the words flowed. Thank you so much for the prompt, Sadje. Couldn’t have done it without your prompt.
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You wrote very well Shweta.
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Thanks a lot for you encouraging words, dear friend ❤️🤗
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You’re welcome 😊
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❤️🤗
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I loved the picture and I loved the story. Well done!
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I can’t take any credit for the picture but the lines are all mine. Thank you so much, Janet 😃
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“Etched deeply in his wrinkles”
Eeeeeeeeeesh this is so poetic I love it so much ❤️🔥💯
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That means a lot, Rishika. Thank you so much 🥰❣️
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The worries do give those wrinkles. Perfect poem resonating with the image.
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They certainly do. Thank you, Kritika
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Welcome 🙂
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❤️🤗
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This is so beautiful Shweta😊😊😚
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Thank you so much, Mich 🙂
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Excellent poem Shweta 👍🤝
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Very beautiful 😍
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Thanks a lot, Aashi 😃🤗
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Wow. So beautifully written. I could totally imagine the scene in my head. 👏
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Yay! If you can imagine it, then I have succeeded in my mission. Thanks a lot, HP. Your comment has made me so happy 😁
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The story of life, fraught with emotions, eloquently woven Shweta ❤️
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Thank you so much, dear. It means a lot coming from you 🤗😃❤️
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So fabulous 👍🏼🌹🙏
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Thank you so much 🥰
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You are welcome 🙏
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❤️🤗
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Erhu is the Chinese violin right?
Marvellous poem,Di!💜
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Yes, that’s the one, Akshita. Thank you so much, dear ❤️🤗
I’ve updated the post to include a brief description of the erhu. I came to know about it when I did the research for this post!
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😃👍
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A gorgeous poem! I came to know about erhu. I had not heard. Thanks 😊
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Thank you so much. I came to know about it when I did the research for this post too. Thank you so much
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My pleasure 😊
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Superb and he is looking so nice and happy to be sitting all by himself though with wrinkles etched on his face. Such a beautiful story, Shweta.
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Thank you so much, Kamalji 😊
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Always welcome dear Shweta 👍🏼🤗❤️❤️
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❤️🤗
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❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Loved it❤️❤️
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Thank you so much, dear ❤️
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Wow! 💜 Superbly penned, my talented friend.
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Thanks a lot, Priya 😃🤗
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Ah, Shweta, what a lovely poem, my friend. Love it. 🤗✨❤
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Thanks a lot, Jeff. I’m so happy to hear that 😃
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You’re welcome, my friend. Have a lovely day and weeend. 😊
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Thank you so much, my friend. I hope you have a great weekend ahead of you
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A beautiful poem ♥♥
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Thank you so much, Sonali ❤️🤗
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♥♥
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nicely done💖
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Thank you so much, Cindy 🙂
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Always a treat💖
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Hope you have a great weekend ahead ❤️🤗
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Thanks Shweta and you too!💖❣️
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I love this p
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Thanks
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So beautifully written. And moving.
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Thank you so much, Jude 🙂
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💜🙏🏽
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