Thank you for smiling back to me today. Your smile turned my day around. I know it wasn't much to you, but to me it meant everything. I don't know your name and you don't know mine, I guess we never will.
I was sitting there, waiting, waiting for nothing, nothing in particular. The weight of the world had become such a burden that I could stand no longer. I could barely lift my back from a stoop. The air felt thick, the world was grey.
I had been looking at my shoes. My shoes were worn, red once, now kind of pink and brown with the stitching undone. The water from the rain had saturated them and my toes were cold and wet, but I could no longer feel them, but I knew where they were, where they always had been, gnarled and twisted.
The wind howled right through me, even through my treasured coat, you know the one. The one that I am always wearing. The brown one with all the badges on it. I got those badges from someone I love, my grandson. Those badges mean more to me than anything I have.
I know that you know me because I see you every day. Usually you rush right past, too busy to look, too embarrassed to look. You are running for the train, or rushing home to the warmth of the house and a cooked dinner.
Today you looked. I saw a connection in your eye, I know you wanted to say something. That's OK. It's not your fault. A smile was grand. It warmed my heart and fed my soul. You opened the channel. We might speak one day. Even hello would be great, but if we don't, you smiled.
Thank you.
This week's writing exercise is to write a letter. Write an open letter or write to someone more specific. Write a letter between two fictional characters or write a letter into a fictional piece you are already working on. Think about how differently you write depending upon who you are writing to. Your content in an open letter may differ to content in a private letter.
Wherever the prompt takes you. Keep your post on the short side: up to 500 words OR a 5 minute stream of consciousness exercise. Link your finished piece to the list and begin popping by the other links. Oh, and enjoy!
The linky will be open each week from Monday to Friday. If you are playing the game, try to visit the other linkers, at least three of four would be nice. Encourage, critique and support your fellow writers.
Pop over to Ink Paper Pen to find other bloggers who have posted on this or join in!
Beautiful piece. I'm intrigued and want to know more about the writer.
ReplyDeleteThank you Melissa. I was hoping to leave a little intrigue as to who she/he was
DeleteAn elegent insight that seemed to build layers upon something so simple.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback sjp. I was trying to put myself in someone else's shoes & understanding
DeleteReally heartwarming and a reminder of how the little things, the things that cost us nothing can mean so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah that was what I was thinking about and the letters that we would never get or write
Deletenice to be conscious of others. to see them. to smile. let them know they are not invisible. good write.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was good to give her a voice.
DeleteThat was a really touching piece, and I loved the idea. I have felt that way many times, and it is really cute to write to the person who has smiled back to you. Wonderful Writing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire! I love the idea to the things that people don't speak.
DeleteBeautifully touching. A great reminder to stop and smile, since it doesn't cost us much but a few minutes of our time.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think we are so often in a rush, and forget, but a smile costs us nothing and means so much
DeleteHow many times do we spit out the retort, "No, I don't have any change," or maybe just pass by that person on the street without saying or doing anything at all? That behavior has become so automatic. Well, this piece made me stop and think about that, and how a little kindness goes a long way.
ReplyDelete--Feisty Cat
exactly! we have to stop ourselves to change our behaviour and give that smile, pass it on, pass the spark on! Meg
DeleteThis piece reminded me of a conversation I had with my son the other day. He was saying he didn't like walking past some people on his walk to school he felt they stared at him. I went with him one morning and it turned out it was a mum and her son who had an intellectual disability waiting for the special school bus. I said a cheery hello or maybe a gidday and smiled. Now he is fine, he said they smile and say hello every morning. It's just a simple thing to do and it makes all of us feel better.
ReplyDeletewhat a great lesson for him to learn at such a young age, maybe now he will start to think of other people of possibly just being people and say hello and smile!
DeleteI read this in the week but couldn't comment. I have been thinking about it ever since! The idea of writing the letters we never actually write? Love this concept.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the use of the faded red shoes, withered to brown and pink - great imagery. A vivid, emotive piece. Lovely to have you back, Meg!
Smiles stick with you! I love the idea of writing the unwritable or speaking the unspeakable - what are the words that we wish we could say, but social norms stop us from speaking them. Thanks, and good to be back - have to stick this in my brain box to check in every week on your blog for the next prompt! Thanks for the prompts xx
DeleteThank you everyone for your feedback, for your encouragement. I am pleased to be back...now for the discipline to continue ;)! Thank you! Meg
ReplyDelete