“Go to the city,” they said. “You must if you want to make it. Think of the inspiration you’ll find. The audience you’ll get!”
Inspiration is plentiful and dreary, audience though… not so much.
People are rushing by, eyes cast down. Sometimes someone lingers, having a smoke or staring into their phone, always far enough not to make contact. The wind is harsh in his regular spot between the museum and the mall, sweeping the tunes away. His fingers are sore, the solos sluggish in the cold, and the few coins in the coffer won’t even pay for dinner.
He doesn’t want another lonely dinner. He just wants them to listen. Sometimes he wants to scream.
“Go to the city,” they said. “Your music has power. It’s special. You’ll make it!”
It has power, yes. Power nurtured by the hills of his homeland, by the faces of family and the wisdom of friends. The city, that’s just concrete canyons and indifference.
He will not make it. He doesn’t want to. He will go home.
Written for the FFfAW Challenge-Week of March 21, 2017
173 words
Photo-prompt by Sunayana MoiPensieve.
Enkin Anthem 
Bleak take , well written.
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Thank you!
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Touching story! So dismal yet he comes to the conclusion that he needs to return home and that makes me glad at the end. Great story!!
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I think art, artist and environment are always tied close. And sometimes, it’s not so important to “make it”. Thank you!
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Some music belongs to the hills, I hope he finds what he needs. I enjoyed your take on the prompt
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Thank you! I think he will 🙂
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Aw, I hate when dreams are crushed. I hope he doesn’t give up, even if he does go home.
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I don’t think he’ll give up. He’ll find new audiences and new inspirations. Thank you!
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It’s good to see the flip side, for the people who don’t make it. Melancholic, but touching.
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Perhaps “making it” is not always the most important when it comes to art. Thank you!
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Oh dear! Maybe he should just persevere a while longer, though the city can be indifferent and certainly cold at times. An all too real take.
I am leaving a link to my YouTube video in the comments. Thank you for checking it out.
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