An Artist's Story

A pencil lies on the floor, snapped in half, it leaks pain and anguish, just like the creator who slammed it into the ground. Alongside the pencil lies a crushed spray can, and many other tools of artistic creation. The wallowing on the battlefield is the creator's mental agony. His shoes are torn and scratched, and the man aggressively gathers his frustration and drives into the wall with a clumsy but painful kick. The wall does not feel pain, it merely gives it back to him with cold hard rationality. He stops and yells at the end of the alley as it reflects his mental block.

Droplets of bitterness emerge from his eyes and hit the inky black tar. The unfinished work on the wall is disappointed in his inability to create. The exasperated street artist exits the alley. The same alley where he cherished his rewarding creations, now makes him more anxious than ever. He walks away, leaving his heart and soul behind, to stagnate with his tools.

He brews his thoughts over a cup of coffee and takes in the thin stream of aroma coming out of the cup. The little strings of vapour float out and warm his face, a feeling which he cannot enjoy today. The artist, weathered by his past failures, looks beyond the coffee shop at a playground across the road. His keen eyes observe children on park benches, drawing their hearts out. Crayon lines, squiggly eyes, childish pencil drawings, what would tiny little tots know about creating a masterpiece?

And for the first time, he enters the alley again, his den of creativity, without the feeling of pressure, pushing down on him. The artist draws a line, and another, and another, till they connect with each other. They welcome each stroke’s contribution like old friends. A splash of colour here, and a dash of shade there. A toothy grin makes him a little boy again. He enjoys the process, breathes the fresh air, and from time to time, he erupts into foolish giggles.

When it is time to leave, he looks back, waves at his fantasy on the wall and runs out to the playground, a lollipop in his mouth, and his face basking in the joy of being a kid again.

(Image Source- Internet)