Montag, 14. März 2011

My old man, the old man and I

The old man is making quite a show with his jumping and waggling his hands in his usual odd way.  He seems to be trying to do the splits and then retreats to mop his sweaty, red face with a wet towel. Around me, the people have started raising their lighters since a slow song ensues. The old man starts growling smoothly with his tough-guy voice that has witnessed oh so many years of heavy drinking. My old man is happy. He doesn’t smoke, so no lighter, but his gleeful face is practically beaming with the joy of being there, of seeing the old man on stage. The smile stretches his face in an unusual way, and though he is not much of a dancer, he is tapping his foot and swaying slightly from side to side. I am swaying as well and so is my 24-year-old metal-loving friend to my right. The two of us are most certainly lowering the average age quite a bit. Around me are a few grey-haired heads to be seen. I look back at my old man. This is a strangely beautiful moment to me. Being here with him, who seems to be so far away from me sometimes, not only geographically. We share this silent understanding, the timid movements, and I feel immensely grateful for us being together. My MetallicaMegadethAnthraxSlayer -friend enjoys every second of the show, every single tune, even though the man is far from being part of the “Big Four”. We make a weird trio, the three of us, swaying back and forth, just about cool enough to not hold hands and shed the odd tear. My friend, my old man and the old man are sharing a very public intimate moment together. And then the old man howls. 


Picture  via

5 Kommentare:

  1. The way you have woven your words to draw in the reader and create a span across the text is impressive. I find it very moving and evocative. Thank you!
    PS Would you like to post this on the class blog as well?

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  2. Minor accuracy point: 24-year-old (second hyphen is missing)

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  3. A soon as I join the class blog, I will post this, I promise. Thank you very much for the positive feedback, I appreciate it a lot.

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  4. This text is indeed very good. Though I have to admit it made me picture your father alot older than he probably is.

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  5. He is not old at all, Joe Cocker is much older :) However, "my old man" is just a term that is used to talk about one's dad. I actually didn't want to let him appear like a pensioner.

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