This week we are to use the below quote as the basis for a piece of writing.
“Maybe ever’body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”
—Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
He looks out the window, shudders in his slippers
The traffic is horrendous,
The street busy with commuters.
He knows he must venture out
There’s no milk, just a crust of bread.
He watches from his safe distance
Sees no one look at another
No signs of recognition,
Just heads bent, minds far away
Where untold pleasures abound.
He supposes this but doesn’t know
He supposes most people enjoy life
Go about heir daily routine
Oblivious to him and his fears.
But today he must step forward
Survival makes you do necessary things.
The shop is a hundred metres away.
The main road, to be negotiated.
He reaches the lights.
Its red, always red, a crowd gathers
Pressing in on him
He shifts feet, hemmed in, no where to go.
Green flashes the wave moves and meets the opposing wave
He is reminded of the Red Sea and Moses
When the sea closed in upon the Egyptians.
The shop offers sanctuary
Aisles of order, he knows his way round
Head down he gets what he needs
The milk, two loaves of bread
A chocolate or two, a treat when he gets home.
Stepping outside the shop his fears rise again
The main road, the crowds,
The noise, his house an eternity away.
Later he tries to relax but the external noise
Of life happening and him not part of it
Only bothers him an instant.
He wraps himself in his blanket
Clicks on the mid day movie
And bites into his special treat.
Written for: https://therattlingbones.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/literary-saturday-prompt-6/
Morpethroad 
Oh Wow! I so know that feeling… went through a serious bout of agoraphobia five years ago. You did an awesome job using the prompt!
Thanks so much Lori, enjoyed the opportunity to write this one…good prompt…..thanks for the re-blog too. Michael.
You’re welcome Michael 🙂 I hope you will check out my other prompts 🙂
You seem to be able to produce so many. I am impressed by that…..
I do it daily, so it’s become a habit now 🙂 I need to start participating in my own Prompts though… just not enough time in the day! Thanks for checking it out Michael 🙂
Reblogged this on The Rattling Bones and commented:
This is what agoraphobia feels like! Kudos to summerstommy for using the prompt of the day!
Please comment on his blog. Comments here are closed!
As lori said, you have captured agoraphobia perfectly. Those who’ve experienced it will feel a stomach churn reading this. I love that Steinbeck quote. Great response to the prompt,Michael.
Thank you Mandy….its a serious issue to those so affected…..
Your sense of perception and empathy infuses this piece brilliantly Michael. 😀
A sad and terribly disabling state of mind and being.
Thank you Mercy, it’s a difficult situation for all who suffer this condition.
“There’s no place like home.”
Yes indeed.