Thursday 26 March 2009

Pedestrian Crossing

Imagine, if you will,
a point on my journey to work.

Every day, they are there, holding hands:
This young couple coming down the hill.
Walking with that swinging stride;
Same height, same build.

Their stylish black clothes do not change:
He a duffle coat and she a leather jacket.
They talk and laugh as they walk
And their faces turn inwards towards each other.

They must set off at the same time every day,
Just as I do, so that we meet at this crossing.
Day after day they go past in their other life
And I observe, and smile.

I do not know if they see me.
But today, I stood between them,
He on one side of the road,
And she on the other, weeping.

~~~~~

for bb, who would have known what to do..

~~~~~

edited to add:

I saw them again this morning.
holding hands,
talking and laughing,
faces turned inwards towards each other.

Suddenly, the rain didn't seem to matter.

17 comments:

Lynn said...

Auggghhh! Perhaps it's only temporary? Did it cast a pall over your entire day??

BreadBox said...

Sad --- but probably you did the right thing. You walked on by, did not invade their privacy: you allowed them to come to terms with their crisis in their own way. And yet, their pain lingers reflected in your concern, doesn't it?

N.

Fairlie - www.feetonforeignlands.com said...

And now, you'll always wonder.

dottycookie said...

Perhaps there was a simple explanation,a mild hiccup,and you'll see them together again tomorrow. Well, we can hope, can't we?

Ali said...

Oh no, I hate encountering evidence of lifes little tragedies - the dropped teddy, the lost shoe. Seeing it in real time is too sad to contemplate.

JuliaB said...

perhaps they will be on the same side again tomorrow. x

M said...

Oh...

Gina said...

We all have our little quarrels but so glad to see a happy ending.

Melody said...

You are a beautiful poet.

kristina said...

Lovely...so glad I got to read the version with the happy ending :) K x

nikinpos said...

Every now and again a disagreement can help a relationship grow closer when an understanding has been reached.
I know in the UK people tend to keep to themselves, rather than talk to strangers,whether its a good or bad thing I dont know.
In Italy everyone passisng by would have somwehow got involved!!

Allison said...

I love how you describe these everyday moments and fill them with such emotion. I can just picture you standing there, contemplating.

Anonymous said...

Oh, thank God. (edited version)

The Coffee Lady said...

tell them to wear more cheerful colours in future

Lynn said...

Re: the amended version...

I knew it! I knew it was only temporary! Cue the chirping birds and fluttery butterflies!

blackbird said...

Oh! Oh!
I probably would have gone to work crying! Then I would have thought about them ALL DAY. Then, when I saw them back together? I'd try to catch their eye and I'd smile.

Whew.

Unknown said...

Oh I was so glad to read the postscript.