& The Problem Is That
It’s Just Too Easy To Forget
What Kind Of World We
Live In…
Years ago, by now,
& walking downtown,
I happened on a pretty woman,
early 40s, her arms tangled
around odd-sized boxes,
her soft brown hair
dangling annoyingly in her face,
& I could tell she wanted it
tucked over an ear,
& the problem is that
it’s just too easy to forget
what kind of world we
live in
so
as we passed, without really thinking,
I reached out
to tuck her bangs for her,
& she suddenly flinched,
contorted, reared back twisting,
& almost dropped her boxes,
her bright eyes lit
with fury & fear.
“I’m sorry,” I said,
“I’m sorry…I could
just tell you wanted
your hair out of your eyes,
I’m sorry…”
…& we walked away
from one another
both sure that
I was
insane.
I must be insane because I think I would have appreciated the gesture. Just ordered the last book (released on my birthday) and am looking forward to it.
Thoughtful and thought-provoking poem. I once had something similar happen to me – I was standing in line at a wine shop and the man behind me in line tucked the label of my dress back in – I felt this hand on my back and turned round and this man, looking foolish , said ‘ The label was sticking out of your dress…’ I was both alarmed and touched.
Great poem about such a simple, yet socially daring, moment. Its funny, you can slap someone on the ass and not get that kind of response.
This says so much. Your capture of the split second connection(s) and respose(s) is just perfection.
Thanks everyone for the kind words & support. I really appreciate it.