Rochelle, our dear dancing diva with big black boots and broken toes, has punted a Friday Fictioneers photo from Starsinclayjars to us, twice actually. Her intent is for us to score goals by netting our 100-word (or fewer) stories for mid-November. We are to look and see the picture, big or small, and then write a story from our mused inspiration. Thence, to blog post said fibs for all the world to admire and love.
Be bold and click on the boot by the bush for a fast flash over to Mistress Rochelle’s rockin’ blog to kick up some fun with micro fiction. Post your story in one of the squares thingies and jump in on others to tell them what you think, even if you don’t know who they are.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Title: Canned English
Word Count: 100
***
The young Englishman intended to stand against the obstinate, award-winning poet, and sardonic senior citizen.
“You must wear the standard green uniform, Sir, or face the boot.”
Peter glared, “Unsatisfactory. I’ve done this vapid work well-enough for twenty-two years. I want the job. Not uniforms.”
“Sir, the National Agribusiness empowered me to inform you that you are suspended. Agree to our terms, the job is still yours.”
Peter watched a bird and sipped his wine, “You’re a callow, grotesquely inadequate twit. I’d rather live in Marfa bloody Texas than work for you jackasses.”
The young man was beet-red, “Where’s Marfan?”
***
Look both ways and be true to your conscience.
Mind the gaps, especially if your day job is on the proverbial line.
English poet Peter Reading and I were born an ocean apart on the same day, 27 July 1946. He was “one of Britan’s most original and controversial poets: angry, uncompromising, gruesomely ironic, hilarious, and heartbreaking. His scathing and grotesque accounts of lives blighted by greed, meanness, ignorance, and cultural impoverishment” captured this Bokowski-lover’s mind, heart, and imagination.
He was fired for refusing to wear a uniform, lived in Marfa, Texas, for a time, and titled the book about that experience Marfan. Peter died about 11 years ago, but his attitude and poetry live on.
Our Literary Journey 
He seems as if he’d fit in with Bukowski and the Beat Generation writers.
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Perhaps so, Larry.
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A fitting tribute
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Thank you, Neil.
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Nice incorporation of the boot! And a great tribute to a special character.
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Thank you, Jen. He was very special in my opinion.
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Well told, poetry can be so powerful
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Thank you, Michael.
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Real poets don’t wear uniforms. I thought everyone knew that. Great story. I’ll have to find out more about Peter Reading.
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Thank you, Trent. I need to plan a trip to Marfa. 🙂
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I really like this piece. Don’t blame him for not bending to their demands.
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Thank you, David.
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It sounds like a life well-lived, and honestly too. Thanks, Bill.
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🙂
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Nothing like a bit of defiance in the face of stupidity!
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Apparently, what he liked about the job was that it allowed him to think of other things. 🙂
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Dear Bill,
What did he need a uniform for? It sounds like he lived life on his own terms. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle,
He had a lot to say about life and people.
Peace,
Bill
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Peter is a man I understand. I too refuse to be swayed by autocracy, and the answer is to walk away. That disturbs them.
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I do too. Thanks, James.
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If only more had the courage of their convictions.
Btw, I’m 17 days older than you, just thought I’d mention it!
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It was a good crop of lads that year. 🙂
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So great to read this, he definitely was amongst the best poets of his time and a Liverpudlian to boot ❤
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“Liverpudian” — I keep learning new words. 🙂
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I’ve never heard of Peter Reading, but he sounds like someone I would like a lot. One can’t create and conform simultaneously.
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He was fine for years. Then they came.
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Thanks, Bill, for introducing an creatively intriguing person. I’ll have to look into his work. I love his moxy!
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My pleasure, Brenda. 🙂
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loved the boot pun. so appropriate. 🙂
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I’m sure he would have gotten a smile out of your tribute story. Looks like quite the character.
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Thank you, Lisa. Yes, but Brit humor, so who knows. 🙂
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I have to admire a man who takes a stand against “everybody’s doing it” and doesn’t back down.
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