deepundergroundpoetry.com
Strangers
And so we wiled away
the afternoon,
waiting for something
and nothing
on an old park bench in
downtown Raleigh -
him in his late 70’s and me,
a very young 30
maybe I found our encounter
so enlightening
because missing
from the conversation
was idle talk about the weather,
or whether spring
would show her face early,
breaking the bleak sky open
with her smile
no, that day we talked
about the deep
and what he had learned
in his many years about how
to avoid being sucked into
the dark abyss of complacency
and depression in a world
where both are the acceptable
status quo
I’m still using the evasive methods
he taught me, a stranger;
I often wonder what else
I might have learned,
if only the bus
could have waited
ten more minutes
the afternoon,
waiting for something
and nothing
on an old park bench in
downtown Raleigh -
him in his late 70’s and me,
a very young 30
maybe I found our encounter
so enlightening
because missing
from the conversation
was idle talk about the weather,
or whether spring
would show her face early,
breaking the bleak sky open
with her smile
no, that day we talked
about the deep
and what he had learned
in his many years about how
to avoid being sucked into
the dark abyss of complacency
and depression in a world
where both are the acceptable
status quo
I’m still using the evasive methods
he taught me, a stranger;
I often wonder what else
I might have learned,
if only the bus
could have waited
ten more minutes
Published 5th Apr 2023
Author's Note
I was wandering around the capital park in Raleigh many years ago and met a man waiting for the bus. Our 20-minute conversation and the lessons I learned within have stayed with me all these years. Thanks for the education Ed, wherever you are ❤️
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5th Apr 2023 3:48pm
I love the distinct experience of engaging in a conversation with a stranger, without preconceptions, we engage on a purely human level.
5th Apr 2023 3:55pm
It felt like a pure experience, one that had lasting value to me. Thank you, Daniel!
5th Apr 2023 4:44pm
Amazing that not alone has this encounter stayed with you, but you gained skills from it. Sounds magical...
You have a lovely, descriptive, easy to imagine style.
I like..... a very young 30.... brilliant.
Regards,
BITS
You have a lovely, descriptive, easy to imagine style.
I like..... a very young 30.... brilliant.
Regards,
BITS
6th Apr 2023 2:54am
Anonymous
- Edited 29th May 2023 7:45am
5th Apr 2023 6:04pm
<< post removed >>
6th Apr 2023 2:55am
I definitely believe this was one of those meetings. Thank you so much, Rianne!
8th Apr 2023 2:50pm
Awesome. Well shared, Luna.
When I was around 30, I was fortunate to befriend a 94 year old woman (who still smoked and drank wine). The stories she shared definitely absorbed into me. I was always quietly amazed around her.
I'm glad that you have had a similar experience. They are so rewarding.
When I was around 30, I was fortunate to befriend a 94 year old woman (who still smoked and drank wine). The stories she shared definitely absorbed into me. I was always quietly amazed around her.
I'm glad that you have had a similar experience. They are so rewarding.
8th Apr 2023 3:44pm
I once worked in a nursing home back when I was in my 20’s. I learned so much from the conversations I had with the residents. Invaluable life experience-turned-wisdom was laid out for me in stories. I sometimes wish I could go back and soak up all the stories they had to tell.
Thank you so much, Styxian. It’s always such a joy to see you here!
Thank you so much, Styxian. It’s always such a joy to see you here!
8th Apr 2023 3:59pm
Yep. When I got out of the Army, and got well enough, with zero skills besides "Army stuff", I took a job as an orderly. I met so many incredible "characters" that I enjoyed listening to. I didn't even care about the job. I wanted to learn from the elders.
I ended up quitting because I couldn't stand the impersonal treatment that went on. It tore my guts out. And my exit from the military had already done that for me. But I still vividly remember a few of the awesome people that I had a chance to get to know. Priceless and timeless.
I ended up quitting because I couldn't stand the impersonal treatment that went on. It tore my guts out. And my exit from the military had already done that for me. But I still vividly remember a few of the awesome people that I had a chance to get to know. Priceless and timeless.
8th Apr 2023 4:11pm
I left that field for the same reason, Styx. It was too much. Plus, I got attached to many of my residents. It gutted me every time one would inevitably leave this realm.
8th Apr 2023 4:18pm
This may sound morbid, but not meant to. I was good at being with them at their end time. I'd actually be called to come assist, because I treated them like I'd see them tomorrow, more or less. I was their last friend. I made it count for something.
After they passed, I'd still talk to them, because to me their spirit is still right there, in the room.
I'm definitely not an angel. But I'm one of God's better creatures. So I act like it.
After they passed, I'd still talk to them, because to me their spirit is still right there, in the room.
I'm definitely not an angel. But I'm one of God's better creatures. So I act like it.
8th Apr 2023 4:29pm
11th May 2023 2:26pm
It’s pretty awesome that you connected with someone who was able to drop some of their wisdom at a bus stop. I guess the universe gives us these simple gifts and it’s up to us to make good use of them.
Amazing entry
Amazing entry
12th May 2023 1:51am
