Moments | Dany Owens

Moment One:
Wonderment

Once I sat in a Wal-Mart for something close to two hours-
On a bench, not making any noise or drawing attention to myself.
Crying children, pregnant women, desperate shoppers rushing absurdly,
It almost was thrilling to be a spectator looking into the fishbowl of humanity.

An old man came to sit by me first.
Not old even, but the shufflinghunchedlined sort of aged.
I never learned his name, but he flirted outrageously.
He soon was fetched by a man who smiled but clearly thought "thanks for babysitting."

Later I was joined by a woman and her baby.
She was very chatty and obviously content with her universe.
I soon was informed about every fault and quality her husband possessed.
The trick, I found, was to smile and look interested.

In the end, I left sooner than I expected and later than I wanted to.
I'd had my fill of polygamists, the frugal and the spendy, dirty children and their tired parents.
Feeling very sociological, very ponderous and tired, I headed home to my own fishbowl.
I slept well, feeling strange that I left with thoughts...but no groceries.

Moment Two:
Complete Contentment

I lay there, so calmly
His heartbeat loud in my ear as the stars shine
Grass hills scratchy on my skin.

We discuss the sky, the world
Wondering why the roof tiles are that shade of yellow
Our laughter rings loud.

Darkness falls over us
I can no longer see myself in his eyes
As silence falls.

Increasingly, in subsequent encounters
Our conversations falter, though his eyes still sparkle.
It began as two lovers meeting and it ended with two friends leaving.

Moment Three:
arms enclircling
hearts beating
warmth spreading
slight pressure
cheeks touching
i hug my mother