gift for an old gent - 20170713_160156-2
the old gent's place was silent as always, but with the second knock he didn't emerge as usual, declaring he was frightfully busy and can't linger to talk, and it was completely unnecessary we give him anything... but he didn't appear this time - his crusty, lean, learned self perhaps engrossed in some literary work out the back verandah, trying to warm his brittle bones in some meagre winter sun - but we left our gift anyway, as we generally do, though it is both sad and amusing to hear his slightly annoyed tone on receiving such bouquets in exchange for his unwanted grapefruits, lying strewn under the old trees in his front yard - for we wonder is there any other living soul he sees, or must his eclectic hermit spirit be bothered only for that citrus season once a year as winter arrives - and yet when he protested at yet another bunch of blooms, saying to take the fruit as we please for his has no liking of them - so I gently asked once: 'So you don't want them>!' - and of course, with the well-bred manners of a chilly Scottish upbringing, he swiftly and politely corrected himself and thanked us for the gift, and since then he has been at least more gracious, but one wonders if he even remembers such tangible items in his bachelor abode filled with the busy and pressing life of taking in ideas and percolating them around his ex lawyer mind.. ! :)
gift for an old gent - 20170713_160156-2
the old gent's place was silent as always, but with the second knock he didn't emerge as usual, declaring he was frightfully busy and can't linger to talk, and it was completely unnecessary we give him anything... but he didn't appear this time - his crusty, lean, learned self perhaps engrossed in some literary work out the back verandah, trying to warm his brittle bones in some meagre winter sun - but we left our gift anyway, as we generally do, though it is both sad and amusing to hear his slightly annoyed tone on receiving such bouquets in exchange for his unwanted grapefruits, lying strewn under the old trees in his front yard - for we wonder is there any other living soul he sees, or must his eclectic hermit spirit be bothered only for that citrus season once a year as winter arrives - and yet when he protested at yet another bunch of blooms, saying to take the fruit as we please for his has no liking of them - so I gently asked once: 'So you don't want them>!' - and of course, with the well-bred manners of a chilly Scottish upbringing, he swiftly and politely corrected himself and thanked us for the gift, and since then he has been at least more gracious, but one wonders if he even remembers such tangible items in his bachelor abode filled with the busy and pressing life of taking in ideas and percolating them around his ex lawyer mind.. ! :)