Outside my bedroom window there is a shortcut, the quickest way between the apartments and campus. When my blinds are open I get to see students walk to and from their classes. Most of the time it's backpack on, head down and walk fast. The only other variation seems to be if the persons hands are in their pocket or clutching a few last minute notes.
Today as I was folding clothes and enjoying the harsh wind blowing the trees I saw this exact pattern, but this time it put a smile on my face. Head down against the wind, grey backpack on and hands in the pockets of his rebelliously anti seasonal shorts a young man walked just underneath my window. Then I saw it, the look. He stopped in his tracks, looked straight ahead then turned on his heal. You know what that means. He forgot something and he was already late. You can feel it, anger frustration, disappointment and even a touch of embarrassment. You see the expression on his face in every detail, because you know it well. Whomever the reader is can relate to this most dreaded of interference with your routine. And that is why it made me smile. That is the first time that I had ever been an observer of such a moment. One that will not change anything to this young man, but feels like everything.
I smile because this made my passer-by human, real, full of thought and emotion, and all he did was turn around mid stride. How truly common the strife's of man are; that we may recognize these simplicities in our neighbors. You reader, this man, and I all have a common experience to share. How many universal experiences does the world have. Why isn't it as simple to see as looking out your bedroom window.
No comments:
Post a Comment