Open this gate, please. I was smiling.
She was standing behind a security gate, caught off-guard.
Why? The word whipped the late afternoon air.
I want to hug you.
I do not like hugs.
Disappearing into the house, she reappeared at another outside door.
I do not have the key to that door. She unlocked the security gate.
She is slight and simply deliciously insane.
I stood listening to her nonstop flow of words -- weird and deliberate in its shocking contradiction of orderly chatter.
Drenched in smoke, twirling from an ashtray on the carpet in the middle of the room, and afloat within her words, I stepped forward and hugged her. She did not push me away, but I felt the tension.
Shhhh I whispered and stepped back.
Speechless, she stared at me for a long time -- an enormous effort on her side.
Now look into my eyes.
She looked at me inquisitively.
I started to giggle. She joined in the freedom of happy sound.
I hugged her for the second time.
This time she relaxed.
I trust you with my words, she said.
The later summer afternoon turned to talkative silence while we sat together, muted by discovering our differences; finding high ways for the first -- and perhaps the last -- time.
.
Author notes
Photo: Me by me. February 27, 2009. Eyes of mine with laughing glee; Spoken for, forever see ...
In a list
A contest entry
- Do you understand the prompt? by aslanlight.
400 points, ended March 23, 12 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 22 of 22
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I love the metaphors. The experience must come from your heart.
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All the way through reading this I had a question, is the person the writer is hugging herself? Perhaps I'll never know. Your style is impelling and morish and I hope you're a novelist.
Peace Georgia
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Thank you so much for the HM ...
I loved the contest and your intense focus. This story is true, and it is about a client I had who suffered hypertension and depression, for during the separation and before the divorce the husband pricked the little babies with a pin, recorded their screams and told the court it was the agonizing cries when taken back to their mother ... FORTUNATELY the case was handed to me, and I immediately sensed that the father was a sociopath and asked for expert observation and a court report by a clinical psychologist, a former professor of mine.
The so called incapable mother was given custody of the little ones ...
I hope this may clarify my deep attachment to this case.
Love
Myra
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Ah that would explain why the feelings I got from it felt so deeply personal.
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Some of the most beautiful souls on Earth shroud themselves in a protective coating of crazy. Those of us who can see through are enriched in ways inexplicable to anyone without such experience.
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Last night, I visited a woman 57, in intensive care. I got a call to price cutting a tree; well, finish it... This woman, armed with an electric chainsaw, started at the top of this 80 foot tall pine and began to cut it down! She fell...
Yard full of limbs, half dozen jammed precariously in the remaining branches, and a long limb over the primary electric lines I needed the top to rig away easily. A dangerous work space now from my start. I told her friend I was proud of her determination and courage. She lost her spleen, damaged a lung, 9 ribs, back, crushed pelvis. She can't talk, tubes and such. Name is Fox. I've been writing about foxes... and she writes. Friend asked me to visit. I a stranger, walked right to her bed, comforted her, telling her she would be fine; not to worry. Some lessons are expensive... You know that don't you? I red her Mansions-(She sang as she worked, weaving feathers sticks and mud...) Benford takes a fall, Old grey wolf and half moon owl... and time ran out. I asked if she wanted me to visit again, and she nodded. She tried to talk to me, and I said, "You can tell me later..." and "You are telling me your secrets! (I will keep them)" -
How could anyone in their right mind refuse a Myra-hug? I certainly couldn't. Those eyes, that smile....
They say the words that don't need pass any lips. Good luck in the contest.
Sincerely,
Leo Long
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That's amazing. Evocative, harsh and beautiful at the same time. Very difficult to do. I take off my virtual hat to you. Take care.
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Beautiful as always, and visceral. I could see everything, right down to the gate and the hug.
Blessed Be,
***Rae***
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Wow, what a creative way of expressing the two of you in one.
You are very gifted, and it shows here once again my friend. 
Peace. Love in unity, free, you show unconditionally, there lies the trust. sweet.
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I love the chaotic uncertainty the piece lays down as a foundation. I do find the scenario highly unlikely...but it does give some hope for humanity and compassion. Two concepts we are not taught very well of in school.
But which are so necessary for contemporary existence. Simply, we should love one another, and not look upon others as meat. -
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Every word I wrote here is truth ...
I do not write fiction! A lady I had never before set eye upon, accused me of something I did not do and I decided to go pay her a visit. I found a brilliantly chaotic person, and loved her instantaneously for being different, and as she herself said, insane. Well, of course we spoke in silent screams (but mostly of laughter!) and those who know me well, will tell this is the best language I am capable to express: through silence, and eyes and touch.
But then: love drives out all fear and communication becomes purely compassionate and as I call it: endopathic: stepping into another's shoes. This is the bestest of best ways to love.
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Ah
This is wonderful, both in thought and in experience. Had I to define the concept 'talkative silience' , it would be what you have written. There's feeling, touch and reflection in what you wrote, but also 'child-like audacity' bubbling laughter from the heart so characteristic of you!
What 'deep' fun this must have been.
Frans
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Oh yes, Frans, fun indeed!
The most difficult situations become truly an eye-opener when looking through divine Eyes. What we do to those powerless and insecure, we do to God. And: to love one another as God loves US, is an experience beyond words. May we share many more deep fun moments, Friend!
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Superb
A very fine write, indeed. You have expressed your thoughts quite well, as ususal. Thanks for sharing this one with us. -
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Thank you, SB
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First of all, gorgeous picture of you and an even more gorgeous write. The entire piece was just so stunningly superb! I loved it all. Well done and all the best to you in the contest Myra. I have missed you and your work.
Love,
Ylova
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Thank you, Ylova ...
I missed you and your work, too! I am busy with a family safari, and every single day the group goes sight-seeing in the most beautiful region in the entire world --- Eden, Western Cape, South Africa. But at night I simply collapse into bed, downright drained of all energy! I put all work aside for three weeks, so the next month or so will force me into an even MORE hectic program to catch up!
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Excuse me!
The Eatern Cape is the most beautiful. Hey, Myra, part of your life is from here. I still maintain the write is contexually beautiful. Frans -
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Wellllllll ...
I spent lots of happy giggles in the Eastern Cape, yes, Frans, but some of my most bitter tears were shed there too ... Life is but an intertextual Script written by and for all pens ... I cannot wait to walk the New Eden ...
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I love reading things that tell me even you discover nothing is so old that we cannot rediscover newness in it again C
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Thank you, Cheryl
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