Mendicus - by Thomas A. Hutchings
August 4, 2009, Mendicus was presented the Golden Griffin Award for Honoring America's Veterans.
You may visit the Griffin Award website by clicking here.
Mendicus is a Latin word typically referring to a member of the mendicant orders and one who lives by asking for alms. The world is filled with such people; they are called "the homeless."

The story begins in res media, in the middle of the story. Whitman is like a young boy in a man's body. Homeless after a series of unfortunate events that followed his war service, he finds a home in the solitude of the trees and bushes alongside a highway.

As a homeless veteran, he unknowingly struggles with PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder - as a result of exposure to war and combat. He wanders the city streets in search of answers and his presence in the small town is seen, yet he is unseen. He doesn't ask for anything, except acceptance, understanding and compassion.
A homeless man sleeps on a concrete bench while his dog sits nearby. Photo (c) Thomas A. Hutchings, 2004-2009
Using time-shifting, a year of Whitman's living hidden within the community is chronicled through the four seasons, and the story intertwines with the seasons of his life, as he recalls events that led to his homelessness. Using prolepsis, the author gives the reader anticipatory glimpses of what may happen in the future.

Mendicus is a story of awakening, kindness, compassion and understanding. It is a story of one man's unconscious struggle with the psychological effects of war; PTSD.

To read more about the background of the writing of Mendicus, please click here.

A portion of the author's royalties will go to The DAV Homeless Veterans Initiative, an outreach program of the Disabled American Veterans, a Non-Profit Organization.
(http://www.dav.org/veterans/HomelessVeterans.aspx)

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Copyright (c) Thomas A. Hutchings, 2004-2009
To read background information about Mendicus, click here