listening

i like to stop

and listen to 'crazy' people sometimes

listen to their ravings

with a total lack of judgment

and even let them know i am listening

the woman today with her tattered valise

on the corner of fifth & morrison

i dismounted the bus to the rhythm of her rant

she looked at me passing by

with some disdain

i made eye contact

unlike most of the john q publicks:

who tend to avoid eye contact

bustle by with their blinders firmly in place.

and while i stood on the corner

paying her heed,

she glanced my way smiling

i smiled back as she continued raving but now smiling

perhaps it was the first time

in a long time

somebody had actually listened

perhaps she's smiling still.


©March 2006 Border's Cafe, Portland, OR