A re-post, my friends, while Your Favorite Two-Legged Pearl (surely there are no other "Pearls" in your life?!) works on the chap book she will be meeting someone about this Wednesday.
Oh. And if anyone knows what a "chap book" is, let me know. Apparently I have 48 pages to work with...
Hope you enjoy.
One of my favorite aspects of living in a city is the number of people you come to recognize on a daily basis.
Sure, we may not know each other, but hey! Don’t you ride my bus? Don’t we walk past each other, ride the same elevator?
I’m not saying we need to exchange holiday cards or bum cigarettes from each other, but I think it warrants a nod, don’t you?
I think a nod just says so much. “Hello there! I see you, and acknowledge your place in the world.”
I enjoy the cordial impersonality of the city.
But a little personality isn’t bad, either.
I was on the bus the other day when I recognized the head of the woman in front of me. (It’s one of my many talents, the ability to recognize the backs of heads, along with recognizing people by their gait and being able to open doors with my feet. But that’s probably best left for another post.)
Where was I?
Oh, yes. I was in the midst of recognizing the head of the woman in front of me on the bus.
It was my Aunt Joanne.
I leaned forward and tugged a bit of hair at the back of her neck. She swatted my hand away without turning around.
So I did it again.
She turned around somewhat indignantly, ready to give the freak bothering her the what-for.
“Hey, what do you think – why, Miss Pearl!”
She beamed at me. “I thought you were some sort of freak,” she exclaimed.
“There are people who would say you aren’t far off the mark,” I laughed.
We chatted for the 10 or so blocks before her stop, whereupon she de-bussed, as we say on the commuter-circuit, and I continued on.
Every day we run into people with varying relationships to ourselves, some of whom we know and some of whom we don’t.
When you run across my Aunt Joanne – and some day, you just might – nod at her for me, will ya?
Because I’m going to nod at yours.
About Bob Dylan
4 days ago
.jpg)
16 comments:
Sure thing, Pearl. Oh, and you probably would have no trouble recognizing the back of my head. It's big and worried looking :)
I'm just going to tug on everyone's hair today and tell them you told me to do so.
Yes, the impersonality of the city is wonderful and I love it, but, as you say, a little bit of friendliness is good too. I love forming muted relationships with people I see often - a nod, a smile, and sometimes, even a "How do you do." Little affirmations of our common humanity.
IG, check. Will look for your worried head. :-)
Furious Ball, yeah, tell 'em Pearl sent you!
Sam, exactly. I, too, look being a bit anonymous, free to observe, but if I see you, over and over, eventually a smile and nod, just to acknowledge that I see you, is nice.
I have an Aunt Pearl. Growing up we called her the Peacock Lady. She's more wacky cat lady minus the cats.
The BEST of luck with your chap book! You'll do it! I know!
I used to correspond with a gal in WA who did schmaltzy chap books of a religious or Mother's Day type. I never asked her about the logistics of them but I gave her a piece I wrote to use.
I'll be really interested how it goes for you!
Simply, sounds like I have big shoes to fill!
Lynn, thank you! It's very exciting.
Ms. Sparrow, I've only seen two, really, both of poetry. One went on to be published, the other sits in my bookshelf. What will happen? I don't know!
Living in Hooterville as I do has some downs as well. Everyone knows everyone and love to share all their business.
What a pleasant surprize I had discovering your blog. You have a new fan :)
I lived in NY for a couple of years, and have chatted with so many familiar strangers on the subway! Does that count as an acknowledgement?!
Thank you for the sweetest note ever written on any of my blogs..! Hope you will visit again sometime.
M
Coo, a chap book. I didn't think people did them any more. Good luck with it! (If 48 pages gets too daunting, don't forget the illustrations!)
May I have your permission to snip off some of your Aunt Joanne's neck hair - when I sit behind her on the bus, Pearl? (Women should just not have hairy necks.)
I was given one chap book once. It was very small. I kinda didn't understand what it was either.
I always enjoy your writing, and I'm sure your chap book will be fabulous!
xoRobyn
My ears. Unmissable. And of course the unmistakeable odour of Calvin Klein's REVULSION.
Okay, I had to google chap book but now I'm sure yours will be fabulous; on what subject are you writing?
I love the comaraderie of living in a city; even a nod from someone is better than being ignored.
Excellent.
You very kindly called yourself a big fan of my writing over on my blog - well the feeling is mutual! I really enjoyed this, and have often had similar thoughts while smiling at familiar strangers on the bus.
Post a Comment