by Barbara H.
Member since:
July 13, 2009

September Freewrite- Interpretation Saul Steinberg's pen and ink "Untitled."

September 01, 2009 06:16 PM EDT (Updated: September 01, 2009 10:15 PM EDT)
views: 97 | comments: 30

Interpreting Saul Steinberg's pen and ink "Untitled." by Barbara H.

                                             REACHING THE TOP!

Determined to "make it," -------I set out to do just that. I used my my intuition, intelligence, my beauty, brains and all I had inwardly and on the outside, to claw my way. I cared not about who I stepped on or what I stepped in to get what and where I wanted.

I lost all friendships but who cared? I was soaring to new heights and was exactly where I wanted to be.

I struggled against everyone and everything and finally stood at the crest of the hill. At the top. I was finally there. Alone at the top! The one and only!

But wait what is this? What do I see?

A crowd of aliens facing me? No! No! They reached the top from the other side?

A bunch of question marks?

And what are they asking?

WHAT NOW?

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Comments: 30

Alison H. Sep 1, 2009, 6:22pm EDT
Well-done, Barbara! This seems to be endemic in our society...once you reach the top and have it all....what then??
Alison H. Sep 1, 2009, 6:24pm EDT
(Or should I say....SEEM to have it all)
Barbara H. Sep 1, 2009, 8:55pm EDT
Yes indeed, Allison, when it all looks too rosy to be real it isn't!
Len Maxwell Sep 1, 2009, 6:28pm EDT
This challenge just came out and you did that already? Setting the standard a bit high really early aren't you? Did you have advance notice about what it would be? I WANT A RECOUNT! Oh, sorry, I'll just limp along for the next three weeks or so trying to come up with something.

Excellent work. The imagery was very good.
d d. Sep 1, 2009, 7:21pm EDT
ditto Len...yikes, I scratched some thoughts down...and now they are missing amonst the mail and other to-do's.. that's about it.
Barbara H. Sep 1, 2009, 8:53pm EDT
Hey Len and d.d.! Thanks for trying to make me feel so good. You know? It was a moment of sponteneity (spelling?)
Really, though, I'll tell you a little secret. I've always looked at people (like those on t.v. and screen stars and etc) and wondered what it took to get where they were and decided it was probably equal parts of determination, talent to back it up and maybe just maybe compromise in certain areas. I've wondered what people give and give up in getting to the top and kind of feel for them if they gave up too much, reached the top and then asked what now?
ALSO thoughts came from an old Peggy Lee song called: "Is that all there is?" You guys are probably too young to know the song of which I speak?
Bet your sorry you asked huh? Or did you?
Len Maxwell Sep 1, 2009, 9:09pm EDT
Too young to remember Peggy Lee? Let's see , late 60s, I had already been to Vietnam twice when it was released. Think someone else released it a few years earlier.

And you're right about the stars. Also being in the right place at the right time and having the right contacts and having the right family. There is absolutely no positive plan that can lead anyone to the top. Once there there is no plan that can keep them there.

Look at the careers of Clark Gable, John Wayne, Peggy Lee, and any number of others. Then compare them to Madonna, Charlie Sheen, Macaulay Culkin, and (gasp) Michael Jackson.

Forget it, I'm starting to make myself sick being serious. It comes down to the fact that there's no sure way to the top. Little people like us just have to work at it.
Barbara H. Sep 1, 2009, 9:17pm EDT
Len, well! Its just that you seem a lot younger. I guess its your great sense of humor. And two stints in Vietnam is just something I can not even imagine being able to handle.(But you have with THAT important sense of humor)
I think the people you've mentioned got caught up in the fantasy of their world and didn't have a base of supporting principles or enough real people in their lives to provide any kind of balance.
In my opinion Michael
Barbara H. Sep 1, 2009, 9:23pm EDT
I was going to say Michael Jackson went from a talented child to a jaded, talented child because he had no protection or real care during his life. The people who were suppose to protect him didn't and so he walled himself with drugs and people who would not try to remove those walls for fear of losing what they gained from him. Selfishness in all aspects.
d d. Sep 1, 2009, 10:38pm EDT
ok, I was just a pup in the 60's... but the song that I do remember is: Put your head on my shoulders... My dad use to sing that all the time.
Barbara H. Sep 1, 2009, 10:49pm EDT
Nothing like a Dad who goes around the house singing. Makes one feel like everything is okay. Yes I remember those words.
marie Pinschmidt Sep 1, 2009, 9:11pm EDT
Barbara, interesting post and I certainly remember the song. I feel the pleasure is in the journey - seldom in the destination. Post-card anticipation usually ends in a degree of let-down or disappointment. We can't know how many scars the "stars" are wearing, can we?
Barbara H. Sep 1, 2009, 9:31pm EDT
You are so right Marie. Post-card or any other kind of anticipation always ends with that degree of let down or disappointment as you've explained. AND it is all in the journey and who we bring along or with whom we share. That part of it IS important and what we deem important enough to put our energy to.
You , for instance, seem to have made wise and balanced choices and have not only gained from them but those goals (writing and art) have not only benefitted you but everyone whom you've touched with your talent.
I think life has to be a balanced give and take then we all gain from it.
marie Pinschmidt Sep 2, 2009, 8:52am EDT
Thanks for your nice comment, Barbara. Believe me, I've had my share of grief, disappointments (or disillusionment), and have made mistakes as have we all - I just try very hard not to repeat them!
Nice, Barbara,

There's a top? Where? :) I do remember the song and yes, life has to be a give and take, how right you are.
Featured in First Time Writers,

Marilyn
Kushal Poddar Sep 2, 2009, 8:18am EDT
The spot of lonely height is brilliantly portrayed Barb. Do you remember Room at the Top by John Braine? My gen does not.

dreaming furniture
Barbara H. Sep 2, 2009, 12:48pm EDT
Thank you Poddar. When I saw the ink cartoon the words of my post flew into my head and out into the computer as though they were a caged bird waiting for freedom to fly. Now, this is the type of thing that happens in writers life that causes me to think words have a life of their own. Makes me feel like a "cheat" in that they have really spoken themselves through me.
I remember "Room At The Top" seemingly as a story that was made into a movie? Am I correct about that? I don't recall John Braine. I will, however, google him now so I will be familiar with whom you are speaking. Thanks again.
marie Pinschmidt Sep 2, 2009, 9:09am EDT
Perhaps, the secret of success is when you do reach the top, you consider it a plateau and look out and up for an even higher peak to climb. Too many of us have our eyes on the peak, trip on the first rung of the ladder and fall in self-defeat. Perhaps the trick is to neither look up, down or backward - but straight ahead. Don't compare your definition of success with the multitudes. To me, success is being happy with what you're doing.
(This is proof that one should not write on an empty stomach.)
Barbara H. Sep 2, 2009, 12:40pm EDT
Absolutely Marie! Being happy with what you are doing at the moment. Life at this time (I'm 68) must be happy because the moments are flying. Isn't the old saying time flies when you're having fun?
Rose Lamatt Sep 2, 2009, 9:11am EDT
Would your name be Barbara Hall originally from Danville/Chatham Virginia? If so, a very interesting write.
Barbara H. Sep 2, 2009, 12:35pm EDT
No, Rose. My name is not Hall. Sorry. Is that a person you've lost track of? if so, hope you find her. Thanks for your comment on the post though.
Sheila Deeth Sep 3, 2009, 6:28pm EDT
One day I'll find that book I read as a kid - it was my Mum's library book I think and I wasn't really meant to be reading. But the main character was trying to conquer the top of the hill, till the soil and plant crops, and... Well, it ends the same way and I'd really love to read it again.
Barbara H. Sep 3, 2009, 6:36pm EDT
Was it the title Poddar suggested? "Room At The Top?" by John Braine.
I'm going to google the title and see.
Tonia, who hugs trees G. Sep 4, 2009, 12:41am EDT
I liked this alot - eternal questions - I made it, now what? Excellent.
Barbara H. Sep 4, 2009, 1:38am EDT
Thank you for your kind comment and for taking the time to read. I appreciate it very much.
Chana M. Sep 4, 2009, 12:06pm EDT
Barara this is an amusing response with a point to the prompt! It seems that you can take this at least two ways, that is so creative of you! (I hope I get your point correctly.)
Barbara H. Sep 5, 2009, 12:00am EDT
I'm sure you have since there are different edges to it.
Chana M. Sep 4, 2009, 12:06pm EDT
Happily featured in the group Art - Any Medium.
Barbara H. Sep 4, 2009, 1:17pm EDT
Thank you so much for the feature. I appreciate it.
Katharyne T. Sep 18, 2009, 3:38pm EDT
great write, love the twist at the end

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