Personal Narrative- Homeless Man Essay - 788 Words

Personal Narrative- Homeless Man My friends often describe me as a cynic and a pessimist. For the most part, theyre right. Sentiment loses value when it permeates ones attitudes and behavior just as the value of a commodity decreases as it becomes ubiquitous, so as a rule I reserve expressing sentiment for rare occasions that I deem worthy. Fortunately, even the harshest cynics are surprised sometimes. To begin, most people in my hometown know who Mike is. But I would bet that ninety-nine percent of those people dont know Mikes name. Mike is a homeless man who lives at the public library. He didnt really attract my attention until several months ago; since then, I have found him impossible to ignore. At about eleven oclock†¦show more content†¦With guilt welling up inside my chest for driving past Mike so many previous times and overlooking him, I couldnt make myself look away. As the light turned green, I sat for a moment, not moving, and asked myself what I was going to do. Then I accelerated slowly, waiting for the car on my left to pass as I changed over to the left lane. I made four left turns at four consecutive stoplights until I approached the library again. Pulling into the librarys parking lot, I turned off my lights, radio, and heat. As I opened the car door, the cold air stung me like a quick slap to my face. Slowly and uncertainly, I walked toward Mike. The street was eerily quiet as I crossed. So was Mike. Staring at me unwaveringly, he said nothing as I approached. The crows feet framing his eyes, the ridges in his forehead, and the crinkles in his cheeks still stand out in my mind. How many nights had he lain on that bench, covering his face as the wind whipped against it? Now he hugged his body tightly. He was wearing an old pair of tan khakis, a shirt that I couldnt see clearly, and a light multi-colored jacket, its sleeves ending above his pale wrists, that was just slightly too small and clung to his body. As I gave him the money in my wallet, he took it--slowly--and stared at it for a second in disbelief. Although the street in front of the library is usually an amalgam of car horns, headlights, whining engines throughout the night, nothing--notShow MoreRelatedWalter Fishers Narrative Paradigm Analysis727 Words   |  3 PagesWalter Fisher created the narrative paradigm in 1984. Our book lists several communication theories under the heading of group and public communication; narrative paradigm is one of them. Fisher contends it is human nature to communicate using storytelling. Relating events in this manner helps us make decisions. Stories passed down from generation to generation teach the history and importance of culture or tradition. Stories allow people to relate to one another on a personal level, invoking understandingRead MorePower Is The Catalyst Of Life Itself Essay1647 Words   |  7 Pagescatalyst of life itself. 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