By Georgia May
He was a man who could have been so much wider, had life given him room to be.
Now he was a small man in a small world, beating the same tune on the same drum, with holes in his shoes and a future reaching no further than his next hand.
The sweet music of dice rolling, whiskey pouring, cards folding: This was his favourite song.
While he rested in the beer and moonlight, his life darkening around the edges, no one stopped to notice he had nothing left to play with. Nothing but his life.
Surely that was worth something?
Excellent writing captured wonderfully in the opening line. That has happened to so many people, especially men, as women interact more with each other.
That last line sold it!
Encapsulates so much without straining for effect. Superb.
Wonderful writing. Excellent use of 101 words to sum up a whole life.
Well done.