Saturday, August 16, 2014

Laughter and Sorrow

Copyright Jan Wayne Fields
Grandad often reminisced about his elder brother, a man whose laughter could fill a room and spread contagiously amongst his audience. 

Born to the wealthy landed gentry he flitted through life charming everyone he met.  Ever the prankster they still talk about the day he flew a pair of underpants on the Town Hall’s mast head. 

Yet behind the bluster hid a man troubled by demons within.  Later while his face crinkled in a wry smile the sorrow would flirt at the edges.  Till one day he locked himself in the study and shut the door on his life forever. 

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Written for 
Friday Fictioneers. Word Count : 100


 With the events of this past week I have a feeling that this episode of the Fictioneers might have a similar theme running through it.  The black dog visits some of us and they need all the help and support that we can give them.
 
R.I.P Robin Williams! It's hard to pay an adequate tribute to an artiste who gave us so much. 

 

34 comments :

  1. Very sad. Yes, we seemed to have been prompted in the same direction this week. Nicely done.

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    1. I think countless people across the globe were saddened this week. Thanks for reading and commenting Sandra.

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  2. Dear Subroto,

    The less I say the better. Your story says it all. Perfect from cover to cover.

    shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. Thank you for your generous praise Rochelle. I treasure your inputs.

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  3. Anonymous5:22 am

    Wonderful use of the prompt to give tribute to a great entertainer.

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    1. Thank you Grace I am glad you liked my little tribute to a wonderful entertainer.

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  4. Anonymous7:12 am

    A poignant and timely piece!

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    1. Thank you for your comments. I think it is also time to acknowledge the dangers of overlooking mental health issues.

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  5. the ones we least expect to have deep underlying pain are those that surprise us the most. a solid story and tribute to a very talented entertainer.

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    1. True, a clown's smile often masks his sorrow. Thanks for reading and commenting Sun.

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  6. Anonymous4:25 pm

    Thanks. I think you really put your finger on the pulse with this one.

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    1. Thanks Anne, I am glad you liked it.

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  7. Anonymous10:48 am

    sad and true and beautifully written. a nice tribute. it's been a sad week,really.

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    1. Thanks kz. It's been a sad week but also time to remember the fun times.

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  8. About halfway through your story I understood where this would lead.. very well done for a very sad event.. behind ever clown's mask there are eyes filled with tears.

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    1. "behind ever clown's mask there are eyes filled with tears"
      Thanks Björn, that is such a true statement. There is a song by Smokey Robinson that deals with the subject.
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2kxlZDOHeQ

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  9. Anonymous1:28 pm

    Your story paints a very dark and realistic picture of someone living with depression, especially this, "the sorrow would flirt at the edges." Well written. It has been a sad week and I agree it is difficult to pay tribute to one who has given us so much! His comedy and generous spirit will live on.

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    1. True his work will live on and remind us of his incredible talent. Thanks for reading and commenting Amy.

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  10. Everyone else has said it all .... Well done, dear.

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    1. Thanks Alicia. I am so glad that you liked it.

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  11. A lovely tribute to a great person!

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting Uma.

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  12. " Later while his face crinkled in a wry smile the sorrow would flirt at the edges. "

    Such an emphatic, evocative sentence. Just beautiful - in the face of so much sorrow.

    Lovely piece of writing.

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    1. Thank you Pat for those lovely words of appreciation.

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  13. Anonymous10:02 am

    An beautiful and complex character portrayed with love and affection, even without the Robin Williams reference. Well done.

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    1. Thank you Sarah. I just felt I need to include Robin Williams in this week.

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  14. Very timely and beautifully written.

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    1. Thank you Russell, so glad you liked it.

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  15. Anonymous8:12 pm

    Dear Subroto, Good story and very timely. Behind every smile - could be some sadness. Well done. Nan :)

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    1. Thanks Nan. There is a lovely quote by Erma Bombeck that says it all.
      “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.”

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  16. Subroto, That was a lovely tribute to Robin Williams. My husband is bi-polar so I know something of what Robin was going through. Of course, he had other problems as well. Poor man. He was often miserable, yet brought joy to so many others. He truly deserves to rest in peace.---Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan for sharing, I know it is hard for the families concerned. And you are right he truly deserves to rest in peace.

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  17. I think we all felt shaken by this. I'm working on a post about RW, rather than my fictionalized contribution for this week's prompt. I haven't been able to shake it all week! Your story really touches on the story behind the story, Subroto. Very moving and well done!

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    1. Thank you Dawn. Looking forward to reading your post.

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