Friday Flash 55 — Road to Solitude

He couldn't explain it to them, so he slipped away into the night leaving behind all he did not want, taking the solitude he needed. He wore solitude under his slicker, inside his mind, overwhelming his senses. It gently pierced his polished, silvered aura in a marine wash of quiet rain. Solitude muted sound, matted glare, was all that mattered to him. He breathed it as his feet pedaled the only bike on the empty streets — until cobblestones changed to gravel, then to sod, to mud, to meadow — and night changed to dawn, into new days soothed by gloaming, followed by darkness. He sent smiles to its essence, many smiles he sent welcoming solitude in. He chanted Oms and gave simple alms in thanks for solitude which, years later, he would realize was no longer something sought after but something seeking him.

~ ~ ~

Solitude, like rain,
muted sound, matted glare,
mattered to him.
He wore solitude
under his slicker,
inside his mind,
overwhelming him
as he pedaled.

Cobblestones became gravel,
then sod, mud, meadow —
Night became dawn,
then new days,
gloaming, darkness.

Years later,
he realized that
solitude
was no longer
something sought after
but something seeking him.

Written for Friday Flash 55 - My post in exactly 55 words - for the G-Man. 

Well, this week that is not altogether true, since I had an unusual struggle to pare down my original to 55 words. It evolved into such an effort that I decided to include the original along with my 55, not sure why.

I will be away on a short trip beginning Sunday. Will miss next Friday 55, and will endeavor to catch up reading and commenting that weekend. Take care everyone, and I am thinking especially of those affected by the horrible forest fires throughout the western U.S.

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Note: Image via Facebook, where, unfortunately, it was not credited. I will gladly note the photographer if anyone knows who that wonderfully talented person is. 
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