An Unremarkable Scene

observation in DC

The wrong train roared by-

    and  while we waited

       I noticed...

 

Two little old ladies, sharing a bench

       gossiping as best friends do-

hands on each other's arms,

       gentle hugs;

           comparing purchases,

 laughing

    to beat the devil.

 

Both at least 60, more likely seventy.

          An unremarkable scene- except.

 

One was black, the other white.

       I quickly did some math in my head.

Born at or before desegregation.

             and I realized

the reason I noticed them

   

was that even today-

     what an absolute rarity.

  They made me briefly hopeful-

       for the young man sharing our journey that day,

           for my own children, yet unborn-

for love itself.

 

And I quietly thanked them, wondering

     when next I would see the like.

           

 

Author's Note

True story- observations while wating for a train on a hot day in Washington, DC this summer.

Reviews

[cest la vie]

Well I'll be..
This is just spot-on perfect.. while I was reading this the entire scene unfolded before my eyes..I saw them, I felt the kinship, I smelled the aroma of new-life in the air..i have been told there is beauty everywhere. you witnessed true beauty this day..

how far we have come, yes?
and what wonders will we see up the road?
i just love, love this poem..love it!!!!!!

[emmajoy]

And that's how life should be and that's what we should all be reminded of, dear friend.

Your wonderfully written words turn hope into poetry ..

[Larry Dyson]

you placed me in the situation and I felt the scene...barriers down and laughing..what more could I want?

[Alicante lullaby]

only a very careful eye can see remarkable in an unremarkable scene...
everything that i read of you,Marie seems to glorify you ,to heighten you more in my eyes not only as a poet but as a fellow humanbeing...

[J]

The key truths in here are easily digested and assimilated; the way this is spaced out is thoughtfully and artfully done. This vignette was a pleasure to read and think over.

[Dane Osborne]

Somebody i forgot who, once described poets as "the preists of the invisible". They see things about the world, about humanity, about existence that others don't see and through their art they display it to hopefully open somebody's eyes in someway. Take in mind that there is a difference between somebody who has a poet's nature and somebody who writes poems. The two are suprisingly very different things. But you have both and Kudos to that. 100/100

[Tate Morgan]

a BEAUTIFUL observation Bottom rail on top now

[An owl on the moon]

What a vivid, richly woven, hope filled scene.. yes.. one that i wish with all my heart would be a common, every day observation.. And maybe... just maybe.. the future will hold such promise for the world.. May hearts be ever seeking love and peace.. and the simple joy of sharing laughter together, arm in arm..

[Jibey]

Lovely... and heart-warming...

[Emily B]

oh, oh, thank you for sharing

you made me hopeful, too

it is a wonderful story!!!!