She always finds things not just any old things but messages symbols kitsch of the highest order.
A talisman strewn in the leaves would be nice today.
A crushed AA battery, an empty foil pill pack, blue electrical tape folded over on itself…
Oh well. No turkey feathers! No Spanish flash card stamped with the word “trust” or shiny candy wrapper reading something evocative like “sweet ‘ums”. Not even the usual coin of the curb: crushed beer caps the size of quarters.
An orchid flung off a porch holds a bruised brilliance. It’s exotic but in a bad way, like a scar that ruins a face.
Oak leaves bleached and desiccated, resembling bones, tucked here and there among the brown leaf litter grab my eye
but they are so delicate that to touch them
would be to destroy them.
Returning home with empty pocket’s a message, too
one I’ve learned to be okay with.
The dog and I venture forth again later
his undaunted enthusiasm all the lesson I need, but then
there it is, lying on the tamped and brown median grasses as yellow as a school bus, imprinted with blue letters.
“Charleston Chew”
It gets pinned onto the map of my imagination. I take it to mean: hold steady, keep going, there’s more to digest.
Now here is something to chew on!!
Ar ar.
you never know what’s round the corner!
True. Especially when you stop looking.
BTW who is Sarah?
Sarah is a poet, friend, artist and extremely ‘lucky’ person when it comes to finding meaningful detritus on her walks.I know her from a transpersonal meditation/dance/ritual circle that we both participated in for about 18 years.
There is poetry to be found in the “the usual coin of the curb” … wonderfully insightful words. I look forward to seeing more in the new year and bid you peace.
Hope it’s a wonderful year for you, too, Liz. With peace, and craft, and beauty, and maybe some happy surprises?
hey….maybe at the curb of your email box……? I have tried to email you like 3 times
i think to no avail. Had found something myself that i want to mail you…can you E me?
Sorry to hear. I haven’t heard of any problems. I’ll email you. I have a couple things set aside for you, too.
Ha, the little messages from the universe that scatter themselves across our path….in Charles’ town and every town there is always more to be discovered.
Always. And in ordinary places.