The Old Man in the heart of the Sea
Upon a wall in Italy, I sat, gazing at the sea,
Where azure waves kissed the sun in silent reverie.
In the distance, an old man beneath the surface roamed,
Snorkeling through the water's embrace, serenely combed.
Closer he swam, with the grace of years untold,
Diving deep, where secrets of the deep unfold.
Time stood still, beneath the sun's golden cast,
As he sought treasures from the ocean's vast.
Then, from the depths, he emerged by my side,
By my dangling feet, where two worlds collide.
In his hand, a shell, through the salty air it flew,
A gift from the sea, so beautiful and true.
We shared a smile, no words did we exchange,
Yet in that moment, something felt strangely arranged.
He left as quietly as he had come into view,
A silent bond formed, out of the blue.
That memory, etched in the heart's secret chamber,
A testament to moments we should always remember.
Though we never spoke, in my heart he will dwell,
A reminder of the magic that in silence fell.
Big Boy Smile
In the heart of New York, amidst the concrete and dreams,
I sat with a bagel in hand, lost in thought, it seems.
Around me, the city pulsed, a symphony of sights,
Muffled by the towering giants, basking in the light.
From the corner of my eye, a spectacle so small,
A blue balloon descending, making its silent call.
Adrift in the urban sea, "Happy Birthday" it read,
Perhaps from a child's grasp, by the wind it was led.
Down to the bustling streets, where yellow taxis flow,
Against all odds, the world paused for the balloon's gentle show.
Then, from the crowd emerged a man, in life's prime,
Chasing down the wandering balloon, as if on a climb.
With a leap of faith, he caught it, amidst the city's roar,
Clasping it like a treasure from urban folklore.
His face lit up with joy, a child's delight reborn,
Shouting my way, "It's my birthday!" in the morning worn.
In that moment, time stood still, the city took a breath,
A reminder of joy's simplicity, even in the face of death.
A balloon, a bench, a bagel, in New York's vast embrace,
Wove a memory of connection, of time and space.
No Papers, no Food. In the wake of lockdown's silent retreat, On a Greek island, where the sea and sky meet, I wandered, seeking coffee's comforting embrace, A simple pleasure in this quaint marketplace. At a local café, under the sun's gentle gaze, I sought to savor the morning's quiet phase. But without ID, the rules were clear and stern, No seat to offer, a protocol to affirm. The waitress's sadness mirrored my own dismay, A shared moment of longing, in the day's first ray. "Perhaps a takeaway," I ventured with a smile, Pointing to a bench, just a short while. Twenty feet from the norm, yet close to the heart, She served with a smile, a small act to impart. Coffee and breakfast, a feast made with care, A tip left in gratitude, a moment rare. As I prepared to leave, feeling the day's warm kiss, The owner, who'd watched, offered another bliss. A gesture of kindness, extending beyond the norm, Inviting me closer, in the island's morning warm. He offered his space, no thought of the fine, A toilet to use, his generosity divine. "Thank you," I said, a connection deep and fine, For in that moment, his heart spoke to mine.
Those moments, etched in blood
In Italy, on a wall, I sat gazing at the sea,
Where an old man with a shell shared a moment with me.
No words were exchanged, just a smile so wide,
A small act of kindness, with the sea as our guide.
In New York, on a bench, a bagel in my hand,
A blue balloon’s journey, a sight unplanned.
"Happy Birthday," it said, floating down to the street,
Caught by a stranger, making my heart skip a beat.
On a Greek island, the world slowly waking,
A coffee sought, a small risk in the making.
Denied a seat, but not a kind gesture or smile,
Served at a distance, making it all worthwhile.
These moments, though fleeting, carry weight unseen,
In the smiles, in the kindness, in everything in between.
A shell, a balloon, a coffee shared with care,
In each, a reminder of how much we can spare.
For it’s in the lightness and power of these small things,
We find the joy and connection that life truly brings.
A testament to the strength in what is small and slight,
Illuminating our days, making our burdens light.