The Man with a Box ~ #sol17

I believe being a writer is one of the biggest gifts you can give to your students. ~ Stacey Shubitz

This month I am participating in the Slice of Life Story Challenge.  Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for creating a space for me to share my corner of the world.

I recently came across an online photo gallery from Paul Willis, a photographer who worked in my hometown many years ago.  One gallery was labeled 1978, where I found this picture.  

I was captivated by this gentleman and his box.  I wanted to know the story, his story.

I emailed the photographer and asked him if he remembered anything about the photo.  Unfortunately, he did not.  He told me that it was early in his career, and he would drive around the county taking photos of "everything I saw."  Many times photos such as these were never published in the paper to avoid embarrassing someone.  

I have no name and no story, so I decided to create one through a conversation in verse 

between a little boy

and the man with a box.

Photo by Paul Willis

Good morning, sir

how are you today

weather sure is chilly

isn't it

I'm curious about your box, sir

looks like a special box

a box where I would keep 

my important stuff

May I have a look, sir

hmmm....

Is that important, sir

One day, son
a long time ago,
I learned what it was like 
to live without

One day, son
you'll understand 
that what's important in life
doesn't fit in a box

but fits perfectly
in your heart

Yes, sir

© 2017 Leigh Anne Eck