Keys

Was written for a group prompt ("Treasured Item"). I chose to focus on a father's (or other parent) teachings, with a bit of class dynamics tossed in.

Keys

"Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The man,

Walter Monroe, air-dusted his keyboard:

with hands, palesome and pocksome,

he moved the pressurized can deliberately, --

small moves, moves of measure --

directing the flow to remove

all residuals of his work

in small puffs of his white

flaky skin. The man worked: Walter,

CFO, worked exhaustively at his

keyboard. The man knew: the keys,

to reward and recognition, are earned

by sweat of brow; cause and effect --

Walter's father, his CEO, knew this;

taught this --

at his table, at his knee.

He taught this.

They taught this.

The boy,

Monroe Walters, blew on his keyboard:

with breath, fresh and futile,

he wasted precious time, time left to be spent, --

small breaths, breath of youth --

directing the flow, under his key,

stuck in a down position;

down here, among the books,

down here. The boy worked: Monroe,

twelve, worked so tirelessly in

the college library. The boy knew: the keys

were the only chance he had; what luck

to be off the street: cause and effect --

Monroe's father, the janitor, knew this;

provided this --

when he could, whenever he could.

He taught this.

They taught this.

MaggotsX @ 07.14.2022

Author's Note

Any reviews would be greatly appreciated.