Original image by Bernhard Abele
I have a soft spot for Piss-Poor Pete.
Born to penniless parents, far from a beach in Northern Territory; cut school early to earn a living; couldn’t find work so joined the army; broke his back vaulting a horse and disabled out; working now for meals and tips at a down-and-out boarding house in Alice Springs.
But in all these years his dream hasn’t changed: To surf with the big boys at Byron Bay.
Written for What Pegman Saw
crispina kemp 
Hope he gets his wish. Unfortunate name, though. Which came first, the name or the misfortune?
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He probably acquired it from his parents, they being penniless.
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Wat a great character piece this is! Pete jumps off the page – just his name conjures images – and that potted bio is just fab. Love the fact the man’s dreams have never died, despite his hard reality. Fantastic
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I thank you, Lynn. Really appreciate that comment. I scrolled through the photos but nothing grabbed me. Then in this shot, that piece of wood in the foreground made me think of a surfboard, and with that arc of water … it could be the curl of a wave. Together, this seemed the perfect place of frustrated surfer to get lost in his dreams. The rest followed.
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I struggled this week too. Something about that brown, barrenness. I love lush greens I suppose – too used to rain sodden landscapes here :). You did a brilliant job and I’d love to hear more about this character.
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I thank you for the appreciations. Yea, Piss-Poor has proven popular; he might resurface at some stage. Depends on the prompts.
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A poetic piece of prose with pathos, very goodly written.
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Why, I do thank you. It wasn’t written as a poem, yet I do like my writing to flow with rhythm.
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And very often, it is our dreams that keep us going.. You created an admirable character in this Crispina. I enjoyed meeting your piss poor Pete.
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I thank you, Violet.
Maybe when I get totally broke I’ll sell some of my created characters 🙂
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Yes.Looking back at the image, it does look like a Surf Board. I could envisage each stage of his life.AND I love the alliteration finish. Nice 😊🌹
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I thank you, Jen.
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My pleasure 🌼🌹
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Piss poor Pete, conjures up a few memories of my own. I like this piece!
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I thank you, Susan. 🙂
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I love this, Crispina! You have nothing if you don’t have at least one dream…
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I thank you, Dale. I did enjoy writing it. 🙂
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I’m trying to catch up with my reading, can you tell?.
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I know that need. I try to keep abreast, sign in twice a day at least. Gosh, they mount up so quickly. And I like to leave comments, but, hey, I have a live. So some people only get likes.
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Drives me nuts. I gain control, go away one day (went to my long-lost cousin’s for the afternoon and evening) and then… pffft! Then I flush three week’s worth and start again!
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Yea, I was out for the day. Come home to a bcklog. On top of it now
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Took a TV break because I need to step away from the computer screen! Mind you. I need to move my butt too!
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I was out on an 8 mile walk today. I thik I’ve moved enough 🙂
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Good woman! That’s right. Put me to shame!
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Not at all, I know you walk loads. And I only do it once a week.
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Some days more than others. Been trying to convince myself to move today.
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I think that’s gonna be me tomorrow. I have to do the supermarket trip, but thereafter …
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I feel ya.
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Thank you. My feet are sore this morning, otherwise, fine. 🙂
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D’oh! I hit send before saying, I really enjoyed it.
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It’s okay, I kinda thought you liked it. 🙂
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More than kinda
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I thank you, Dale. I surprise myself with the microfiction and poems almost to order.
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I know what you mean! I surprise myself too
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Nice, isn’t it. 🙂
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Absolutely! 😎😊
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🙂
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Loved that character and story, went one back but can’t find what a Pegman is. Is that Australian?
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Ah, Pegman: What Pegman Saw is a weekly prompt put out by Karen Rawson. Link is at the bottom of my Pegman posts. It’s open to everyone. Check out the link, and read what she has to say. 🙂
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