tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28122323634990138012024-03-07T20:40:02.482-08:00Kindness of StrangersT h e - O h - S o - G o o d - N e w s - o f - D a i l y - L i f eBette Foresterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09765396403769724486noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812232363499013801.post-5794644195985514302009-07-01T18:59:00.000-07:002009-07-01T19:01:36.397-07:00On this Canada Day morning...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wears a red dress</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And sits alone on a park bench.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits on a park bench</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wearing a red sleeveless</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sheath dress.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits on a park bench</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In a red dress with no sleeves</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even though this Canada Day morn</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is quite cool.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits very still</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On a park bench</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It must have taken her</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">An hour to iron that red dress.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits on a park bench</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As if alone In the world</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Heedless of passing bus</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On which I sit</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Watching her in her solitude.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In her solitude</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits primly</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In her red dress,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Knees and ankles </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Properly together,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As from another era.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">An era of sheaths</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And prim sitting</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That I remember</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In my bones.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yes, she's wearing</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Red spike heels</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also from that era.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After all, it is Canada Day</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And red is called for.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits on a park bench,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her head slightly bowed,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Maybe looking at a small bouquet</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She holds in both hands</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In her crisply ironed </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Red cotton sateen lap.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits on a park bench</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Moving her lips</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Perhaps in conversation</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With lap flowers..</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or perhaps in song...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or perhaps in prayer.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits quietly</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On a park bench...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lips defining some intention:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She gently raises her head...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Eyes on gravestone before her.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman sits contained</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On her park bench.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She nods and continues</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Silent conversation</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On this Canada Day morning.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Bette<br />Toronto, St. John's Norway Cemetery</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >1 July 09</span>Bette Foresterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09765396403769724486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812232363499013801.post-21871810685002396092008-06-30T17:20:00.000-07:002008-07-03T17:23:25.037-07:00Queen Car<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crowded streetcar<br />Too late for morning rush hour.<br />Elderly couple board.<br />Each seems to need help<br />As they hand each other<br />Up steps, pay fares<br />Move carefully to seats </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Reserved for aged<br />Or handicapped.<br />They chat comfortably.<br /><br />A few stops later<br />Second couple boards:<br />Elderly, but less.<br />No help needed...<br />Except info from driver.<br />They are tourists.<br />Map in hand,<br />Man asks if we're headed<br />For Yonge Street.<br />He stumbles on pronounciation,<br />Unsure. Driver confims<br />Both pronounciation<br />And destination.<br />Then they discuss fares.<br />Couple seat themselves<br />Behind driver to search<br />Coin purses for exact change.<br />As they peer at unfamiliar<br />Currency, woman of first couple<br />Says, here take these tickets.<br />You'll save a lot of money<br />Instead of paying cash.<br />Second couple look up<br />In confusion, then<br />As woman reassures,<br />They accept with grace.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bette</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Toronto</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">2008</span></span><br /></span>Bette Foresterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09765396403769724486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812232363499013801.post-69051619262103371012008-06-30T17:00:00.000-07:002011-12-06T22:41:23.755-08:00Same Day, Same Queen Car<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I sit not reading</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Because I'm enjoying</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Warm glow from</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">One couple's kindness</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">To the other.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Idly, I stare out window.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">We stop at red light.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">People cross in front.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">One of them is</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Very large woman:</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Neatly dressed,</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">But there's no hiding</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Her size.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">She uses cane deftly.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">I wonder if her size</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Is cause or effect.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">As she approaches</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Sidewalk, light changes.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Woman with cane</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Pivots to cross</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Other way.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">She notices errant</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Discarded drink box</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">At edge of sidewalk</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Where it might block</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Or cause misstep</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">To next pedestrian. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Without missing step</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">She wields cane</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">In gentle poke...</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Moves offending box</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">To place where it</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Won't blow away...</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">To place where it</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Will be accessible to trash collector...</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">To place where it</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Can't be a risk to</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms';">Anyone.<br /></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Bette</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">Toronto</span><br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">2008</span></span></span></div>Bette Foresterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09765396403769724486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2812232363499013801.post-33636057241991946282004-07-03T17:15:00.000-07:002008-07-03T17:25:44.990-07:00Chivalry During the Day<span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >THIS MORNING</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On way to work</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Streetcar caught</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Three cars from posted stop.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I see her</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At corner</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Waiting patiently.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Short, not just with age,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But certainly age</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Must be taken into account.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dressed in run-down, over-run running shoes</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And tattered track pants.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Arms covered with</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Light jacket zipped up to neck</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Against record-cool</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">August morning.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This woman holds</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A doll in her arms.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A baby doll. It’s dressed</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In old-fashioned lace bonnet</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And cotton gown, gray and dingy</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With age and neglect.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But this woman holds her doll</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With care, gently against </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her shoulder,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pats it and coos to it</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Then as streetcar advances at last</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She carefully walks up to door,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hand on door rail,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">P-u-l-l-s herself up steps.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She shyly displays pass</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And puts it back into jacket pocket.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Streetcar lurches forward,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Woman stumbles, is helped to seat</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By grubby old man</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Himself not too steady on his pegs.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He gives up his own seat</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At front of car: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Place reserved by law</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For age-ed and infirm.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She sits and brings baby doll</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To rest in crook of arm</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With quiet cooing</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And there, there sounds.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Old guy makes way to back of crowded car,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Stands for rest of journey.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >THIS AFTERNOON</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Office building is place</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of pre-press technology.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Artists work elsewhere.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here we are Mac operators.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Returning from big printer downstairs</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With Jim, customer service rep,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I walk along back corridor</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And see another woman.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This one exits washroom.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tall, maybe not from youth,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But certainly youth</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Must be taken into account here.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her tallness is emphasized</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By long legs.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They go all the way up.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They're slim and really long</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And they're walking </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">With bounce and abandon</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And, did I say?</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They go all they way up…</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To a very mini</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pink little swingy skirt.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">But… what’s this?</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The back of the little postage-stamp skirt</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Is caught in top of underpants!</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She moves on and I wonder</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If I can catch up</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And warn her</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Before she gets back to</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">More populated areas.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Suddenly she reaches back</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And frees skirt from panites.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">She looks around</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Laughs, blushes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In the instant...</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Jim moves swiftly forward</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Beyond embarrassment.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A gentlemanly gesture,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or embarrassment of his own?</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of course he saw.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Does she know he saw?</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I approach and compliment</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Her swift recovery</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And beautiful </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bright purple of underpants.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Bette</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Toronto</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >2004</span>Bette Foresterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09765396403769724486noreply@blogger.com