Walking

Walking

It is supposed to rain all week but I am not afraid of the rain.

So out I went with the dogs, hood up, then done. 
A shake to unblock my hearing.

Down to the quay of the Rhone ribboning metallic gray.

The cold not cold and my eyes on the stretching emptiness.

Set to open.

Far ahead, a lone figure was walking slowly, so slowly that he caught my attention.

Maybe it was the cut of his coat that made me think of the past

Or that his nonchalance told me he had nowhere to go 
But rather was enjoying the space wrapped around him soft like a scarf.

I wondered if that was what it was like 200 years ago to be a gentleman.

Just one pointed foot then the next.

Today he would have to be a dancer

Or a magician.

My dogs rustled as I neared him.

He casually extended his palm upwards as if he had only then realized that it was raining. 
It fell back to his side.

He would be walking regardless.

We pulled in front of him in a rush.

We are all in a rush.

But on our return, we met face to face, this thin man tall.

He whispered « Bonjour » with an infinitesimal nod, I responded

And then was his past.

His skin was of a color I couldn’t quite identify with a touch too of yellow to be cafe au lait.
Were his eyes smoke ?

The word « Persian » came to mind, faded.

The dogs were eager to get home.

And as I neared my front door, I wondered if I had even seen him, this shadow of another click of the clock ?

In the midst, the mist with fingers on my face, I knew I could never really know.

"Tell us about the thing you most want to do, reality or fantasy, that you have never done...money is no object." This was Marsha's directive for this month's theme in the By Invitation Only series. Now, I know, you might be shaking your head wondering, "And how did she get here exactly?" 

While I am incredibly grateful for all of the extraordinary adventures I have experienced so far, I also feel confidence welling in my heart when I remember that at times the "perfect" moment is right where you are. With that thought, I had prepared something else entirely, which I will share with you soon. It is happy and very French. 

And yet, after returning from my walk this morning, I sat down and wrote this poem. It felt appropriate too, that unreachable, mysterious beauty in the everyday. So I headed back out with my trusty little camera to try and capture a bit of that moment. It was like chasing after balloons.

And just so you know, the man out of time was nowhere to be seen...

To discover what I am sure will be a truly fascinating range of responses from the others in this international group, please click here.

Music:

I also want to thank all of you so much for your wonderful responses to the news of my Mom's engagement. As she herself correctly noted: 

"Heather's readers are the most articulate and charming clan ever !"