of turmoil, crisis and
challenge
as the slaves trapped in
never-ending
daily regiment and obligation.
Rarely stopping, rarely
breathing
in the freshness of air or
rarely savoring the warmth
of the sun
upon one's face in the
early morn.
Why is there no time for
the wonder
of special
never-to-be-again moments,
when all we really have in
life is time?
Isn't life more than just a
string
of days' events simply
leading into nights?
Alas, a pattern cycling
again and again,
robotically the march goes
on
from the beginning to the
end
of life's allotted time.
I think of all the special
strangers,
I touched and those I could
not.
Just recently, I found my
eyes
meeting those of another.
I almost passed him by
without a word
but then I stopped and
returned his stare.
Mutual smiles and laughter
soon appeared as
we learned we shared a
kinship rare.
So much alike, we conversed
for hours
like long lost friends
reunited.
Yet a distance and
discomfort
still brought it all to an
end.
The abruptness of the
parting
did not match the obvious
warmth
that lay beneath the
surface
waiting . . . begging to be
shared.
My mind sought for reasons
why
two people with so much in
common,
indeed, the very same needs
and desires,
could part in such a way.
Curiosity got the better of
this cat
so I wrote and offered a
coffee chat.
His answer was full of
sadness,
he said it was a marriage
he had not
revealed and my engaging
wit
that kept him from being
frank.
Humm . . . I'm not quite
sure what
made him think that
friendship
is confined to those
without a mate.
Still, it was a special
moment
I can't duplicate except
again with him,
a would-be friend who
walked away
because the rules, born of
societal norms,
say he's not allowed any
special moment
with a woman to even talk,
forget the play.
Yes, still it was one of
those precious
special moments I would not
trade
for all the moments lost in
a life
focused on never taking
chances.
Given free will, all such
events
are a calculated risk,
friend or foe
we do not know without
venturing,
no movement forward always
means nothing gained.
Other special moments?
I stopped to help a woman
who seemed so deeply lost
in despair,
she was looking for her
dog,
alas, her pet was never
found
however, we are still
friends to this day,
and, too, satisfied I am,
we did our best
to find her gone-astray
companion.
A man at the bus station
was puzzled
and perplexed, alas where
could he go,
being a stranger to our
town.
I questioned him and found
this man
was yet another kindred
soul,
a writer from the state of
Texas,
he came to find tales to
tell
and left also, having found
a friend.
A thousand special moments,
a smile, a glance or a
dozen hours
conversation, all left me
renewed of faith.
There are indeed a few of
like mind
waiting, not just to pass
the time,
but to explore the many
opportunities
in reaching out to embrace
all
to make connections . . .
be it just for the pleasure
of a passerby's thankful
smile,
or the making of a new
friend,
partner or companion
. . .
let us rejoice in the
beauty of
special moments and in the
treasures
they have to give and
share.
Equality and peace be
to all as one
for, if truth be known . .
.
there are no strangers
here.
By Shirl A. Steward
© written and copyright 12/19/2006
