A Place For Gruel

A Place For Gruel


I am standing outside the old store front waiting for I know not what? Why am I here, I ponder as I gaze into the vacant display windows on either side of the store front, then I remember this was once a retail clothing store that has been converted into an eatery of sorts, and mamma is waiting for me inside.

Entering the establishment I hear harsh, crude, vulgar profanity, as someone complains profusely and loudly, being greatly disturbed because something is not quite to their liking. This place is far more pedestrian and common than I had imagined! As I continue onward toward the back of the room I notice a row of people dispersed shoulder to shoulder forming an imprecise meandering line, while waiting to be served a daily portion of gruel from the cozy little kitchen, which exhibits a long plywood counter painted white that extends the entire length of the open kitchen.

Mamma also waits, she waits so very patiently, but for some inexplicable reason she is being verbally harassed by the other patrons, they continue unrelenting, tenacious and steadfast, while waiting, waiting, waiting for their upcoming portion of daily gruel.

Mamma is truly a misfit amongst this substantial gathering of crude and sulking peasants who have not the slightest appreciation nor thankfulness for their gratis daily repast.

As for myself I feel an excruciating guilt and regret for having made mamma wait in such unrelenting torment, and possible danger? For one never knows what people of such ilk might do under such circumstances, and now greatly encouraged by such large numbers, they most surely will be more easily provoked to violence, which is their more normal and natural propensity.

Mamma however is serenely unaware of these hostile altitudes or any of the possible dangers of her immediate surroundings, the ill will, resentment and bitterness expressed directly towards her does not reach her conscious awareness it would appear...

However she is keenly aware that we are both hungry, this is a place to eat, and we are both in dire need of some food!!!