I would be remiss, on this fine spring day, if I didn’t
slide on over, as we like to say on the bus.
Come sit by me.
Spring! It’s 70
degrees here in Minneapolis, and the good people of the Great State of
Minnesota have gone, to judge by appearances, insane. Arms!
Legs! People without hats! The woman in front of us: Didn’t know that
color existed outside a block of cream cheese, did you? But there she is, in all her pale,
warm-weather glory, sporting nothing on top but a sprinkling of freckles and a
strapless shirt that would’ve killed her just a month or two ago.
She didn’t get those tattoos to keep them hidden!
But never mind her.
Look over there, on the sidewalk, where a fresh crop of unlined,
smooth-limbed citizens has sprouted. The
future of America, unfettered by gainful employment, travels in boisterous,
eager groups.
The guy in the tank top, the one with his pants belted at
the top of his thighs, has eyes only for one girl.
Even from here, it’s obvious.
He wants her, and she doesn’t care. She toys with him, playfully hits him across
the top of his head; he reaches for her, but with his waistline just inches
above his knees, he lacks true mobility.
She dances ahead of him, taunting.
Come and get me! Come and get me!
The young man clutches his pants with his left hand,
hobbles after her, laughing, his right hand raised in petition. Slow
down! Let me touch you!
Winter is gone.
Slow down.
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22 comments:
Things never change, except for that pants on the knees thing.
This was a 2 audible chuckle post.
Here in known as ACP...I hate lol it is so insincere.
Ah Pearl...it's not gone yet...it's just toying with us. There will be one more major freeze up before the real spring arrives. One more snow fall. One more shot of misery before the all too brief delight that is sprummer. Don't put your heavy coat away just yet.
"Winter is gone." Oh, the frolic, the fun; and Pearl to observe it all and share it with us. Gets no better than that!
Hey, I didn't see you on my bus! And dammit, my amorata just will NOT stand still! Roth x
We bury winter instead of it burying us, but we don't grieve the loss.
There's an image that's going to linger, thanks.
I've seen this ... we've ALL seen this (minus the too-low pants, maybe) but YOU, Pearl, you are able to put the right words together that allow us to suddenly access that memory, maybe even the memory of being in that group, being that boy or girl ... and this is one of the things that make your writing so, so good.
ahhh Spring! This morning I had my first "lawn cut".
I second joeh's 2ACP. We've seen bare legs and heads without fuzzy hats here too! Not putting away the snow shovel though.
My arms are out in all their ghostly whiteness. :D Hurray for spring!
Hari Om
It's heady stuff, that hanging onto pants. Seriously though, spring is silly. Well. It makes silly happen. One of it's endearing qualities. YAM xx
I am so so grateful for the bus trips you take us on. And the images sing. Megathanks.
I thought there was some way of maneuvering in those trousers. Why else wear them when life involves mobility.
I thought of you the other day - when it was finally warm enough for all the pale, pasty legs to come out. Mine included.
Time to celebrate - winter is GONE!
"Unfettered by gainful employment"...you slay me. And also, what Jenny_o said. You just have a way of putting words together in the right way, creating pictures in my mind. How do you do that? I'm jealous of your 70 degree day, though. Insanely jealous. All my pasty white bits be still covered up.
And here in the Big D, Motown, Motor City we have a CHANCE of snow on Monday. Hooray.
I suspect saggy-pants style is yet another fashion ploy to exaggerate human contours beyond nature, like bustles, and predict these young fellows will lead us in a full circle by progressing to cage-crinoline. Great post, Pearl!
"...with his waistline just inches above his knees, he lacks true mobility."
More fool he. If the young suitor would only hoist his trews to a civilised position, he may perchance catch yon fair maid.
It really is pitiful to see these young people trying to walk or run while gripping their waistbands trying to keep their pants from falling down.
Warm weather brings out all sorts of creatures. It's like they are all molting around here, shedding layers until they're half naked and prancing the streets in flip flops, droopy drawers or mini shorts. Ahhh, spring, bring it on.
Unfettered by gainful employment...I love your crafting of words.
Your "unfettered" line is a classic.
We always have good weather here, so the "unfettered" are always about.
"he lacks mobility"--you capture the urban vibe with delicacy and accuracy. It's all bright pasty skin around these parts, too.
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