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Open Poetry #21
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The People Watchers
| Open Poetry #21 |
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The People Watchers |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada 
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The People Watchers I took a walk not knowing where my path would lead me to, Some quiet time, to just reflect and bid my cares adieu; I'd concentrated long enough on me, I did suppose … And so I cleared my mind of all my sorrows and my woes. I came upon a courtyard, in the city's inner core, And paused to take a rest - some time to sit and ponder more; I sat upon a public bench, and watched the passers-by, Alone in my oblivion, till someone caught my eye. He wore a three-piece suit … his gaze was focused straight ahead, A look of pure determination, touched with signs of dread; Perhaps he'd just been fired ... or he had an interview … I mused about his circumstance till he raced out of view. I saw a woman side-step him … he hadn't seen her there, It didn't seem to matter though, she didn't seem to care; Her rapt attention focused on the child she dragged along, I heard her grumble 'neath her breath, at something he'd done wrong. I couldn't see his face until they walked in front of me … He raised his head a moment, looking for some sympathy; I looked into his eyes a fleeting second, as they passed, Enough to feel the deep regret and sorrow, he'd amassed. I watched them move along, and contemplated what he'd done, Until they passed some teenagers, cavorting, having fun, I caught the young boy glancing back ... his mother pulled him on … Then changed my focus to the teens, to where my sight was drawn. The girls were giggling softly, as they grabbed each others arms, They broke into a gale of laughter, through their youthful charms, They whispered back and forth, like two conspirators at play, Their motions over-animated, as they moved away. I wondered what their secrets were, and smiled as they passed by, Enraptured with a handsome boy … who clearly caught their eye; They peered at him … he took no notice - not a second glance As he moved slowly past my bench, in need of no romance. His eyes were pensive - worry lines seemed etched across his brow, He seemed too young to have such sorrow deep within, somehow; I wondered what his quandary was … what had him in this state … A love, a death, a friend in need? I wondered in debate. He moved beyond an older woman strolling rather slow, I saw her turn toward the boy, although he did not know … She wore a look of recognition in her aging eyes, A look of sheer amazement, as if taken by surprise. She slowly passed in front of me, and turned to look once more, I heard her say beneath her breath … "Why did you go to war?" I wondered who she meant by that - whose face he'd brought to mind, Perhaps a husband, or a son … where mem'ries intertwined. She shuffled past a woman with a gentle, caring face, Who wore a kindly smile … an air of dignity and grace; She paused and took a seat upon the bench just next to me, And gave a little sigh that broke my silent reverie. "I hope I'm not too forward, and I don't mean to offend … " "Although," She said to me, "You look like you could use a friend." "I've watched you for a little while … " She smiled and shook her head, "And I'll admit, you've had me pondering ..." She sweetly said. She pointed to a bench that was across from where we were, The perfect spot to watch "me" from … though I had not seen "her"; I wondered if she'd read my thoughts, and how long she'd been there, Just watching … as I watched the other people unaware. "I've seen your look of deep concern, turn into sympathy, You've had a look of worry, then of someone fancy free; You've worn a look of sadness, and I saw a look of doubt, And I'll admit … I've wondered what you're wondering about." She must have watched my face reveal the thoughts within my mind, Reflections of the stories I had mused about in kind; She gazed at me intently, and she seemed to hold her breath, While waiting for a story, filled with laughter, love or death. I smiled and thanked her, as I grinned, "There's nothing wrong you see …" "I'm simply watching people … just like you were watching me." /Kit McCallum [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (07-25-2002 06:39 AM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved | |||
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the_loner_23 Member Ascendant
since 2002-06-08
Posts 5479Jacksonville, Florida, USA |
 Cold hands means a warm heart |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
OH KIT!! What a fantastic piece of work! We don't hear from you often enough... but when we do, you knock our socks off! Your rhythm and rhyme is impeccable. What a wonderful story you have told here.. I love to go to the mall to people watch too. Love this...into my library it goes. ~Hugs, Nancy~ |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
  (big hugggssssss) Oh Kit, this is sooooo sensitive and touching, sweet friend, I understand how you feel here for I too always love to watch people, for many times I see sad people and those in need of hope and faith and if they want to I am always willing to reach out to the and help them! (sigh) There is a story in every one of our hearts and some will always tell them along the way, sweet friend, God Bless You, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Kit, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." Shakira [This message has been edited by Mistletoe Angel (07-21-2002 03:58 PM).] |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Very Nice, it's amazing how much you can absorb just by watching others. |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
I think you just took the spectator sport of people watching to a higher level, Kit... I thoroughly enjoyed this one. ~ hugs from a chipmunk watching peopleLyra |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I love people watching (gonna take Nan to my favorite spot next week), but lady you are without a doubt the "Da Dum Queen"  that was simply fantastic. (psst, thanks for my smilie)Nothing means more to me than faith, |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ah Kit...you do weave, you do, you do... |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
Oh that was a fun story. Well done. Sandra |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
Excellent writing as always, Kit. I always learn so much from you...and it's true you must dream in meter!!! Take care, Melissa~ "Poetry is not an opinion expressed... |
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Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
Funny isnt it? how we all tend to watch people....love this Kit....you are amazing... Lauren~ The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds strewn across a blue blanket |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Enchantress: Thank you so much for these wonderful and encouraging words Nancy … I'm glad to hear I'm not the only people watcher, lol! Mistletoe Angel: You too Noah? Looks like we've got a few people watchers in our midst, lol … thank you for your sweet comment! Paul Wilson: So true, Paul … it's fun to watch, listen and learn some days. Glad you enjoyed! Madame Chipmunk: LOL @ spectator sport! Thanks for the kind words, you are very much appreciated. Mysteria: I wish I could be with you and Nan, taking in all the Vancouver people and sites Sharon. Give Nan a pinch for me when ya see her, and a great big hug, OK? It was wonderful to talk to you the other night. Thanks so much for calling and big hugs to you for all the hugs across the miles. Sunshine: Ah Sunshine … you, my friend are a  … thank you.Catalinamoon: I'm glad you enjoyed Sandra, and that it came across as fun. It's amazing what our imaginations can work up, lol … many thanks. Melissa Honeybee: LOL … I think you're right about dreaming in meter Melissa. I woke up this morning da-dumming, but apparently my feet don't tap as well in my sleep, rofl. Glad you enjoyed! Greeneyes: Thanks so much for the lovely comment Lauren … it looks like we've got more than a few who enjoy sitting back and watching. Hugs to you! Much appreciation to all, /Kit |
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Mark Bohannan Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-21
Posts 7269In the winds of Cherokee song |
Read this the other day and thought I had replied.......sorry bout that. I think we all do a little of this at times. It can be quite fascinating as your words portray here. My favorite place to watch is in the book store or at coffee shops. The tendancies that some people have in little rituals of mannerisms are quite amusing sometimes......then I reflect......hhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmm, got some of my own LOL. Loved this entire piece and you nailed the rhyme and cadence, but that we knew before even coming in to read it. Well done. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
"I've seen your look of deep concern, turn into sympathy, You've had a look of worry, then of someone fancy free; You've worn a look of sadness, but I saw that turn about, And I'll admit … I've wondered what you're pondering about." She must have seen my face reveal the thoughts within my mind, Reflections of the stories I had mused about in kind; She gazed at me intently, and she seemed to hold her breath, While waiting for a story, filled with laughter, love or death. I smiled and thanked her, as I grinned, "There's nothing wrong you see …" "I'm simply watching people … just like you were watching me." ============================== Seeing things thru your eyes is always a lesson in humanity and humility... this is a wonderful write of heart and spirit..and wrapped in your gift of rhyme divine...I swear you talk rhyme in your sleep I too love people peeping...was just on bench at the mall watching the world go by, Thanks for the view of you Kit-girlie. now I got me smile for the day |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Kit, To me you have untapped abilities, enjoyed. |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
This was a wonderful story Kit. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I find it very interesting to watch people. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Kit I'm so glad Mark brought this back up..it's wonderful! Loved the twist in the people watching people watching me. I never looked at it that way, as I feel like I'm the only one looking. |
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Secret Whisper Member
since 2001-01-25
Posts 298Through the Looking Glass |
What a "perky" story. Well rounded. "I am not alive enough to kill myself." - Mary Ipal |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
Once again, you've woven a tale that flows so smoothly and gets the reader so involved that best-selling novelists would turn green with envy... and you do so in flawless rhyme!!! *S* This is superb, Kit... I love it! *S* |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
definately a keeper...I'm a people-watcher too...this was amazing! |
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NewEnglandlazurlu Member Rara Avis
since 2002-01-04
Posts 7470A Mountain Paradise |
This is truly remarkable. You are such an excellent writer. I enjoyed it very much.People watching at airports is my favorite spot. It's so fascinating....Hugs, Marti "Even if life is full of thorns, I still embrace it for I know that in between those thorns, there is a rose worth all the pain." |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
Kit, fabulous story here..while i must say that i enjoy people-watching too, i don't have the kind of imagination to spin tales about their lives...you have turned what i perceive as a time-filler activity into an intense scrutiny of human nature.. bravo!  |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Pure McCallum masterpiece! The mark of a great poet is one who can take normal, mundane things or events in life and turn them into intriguing pieces of poetry. You have that gift, dear Kit, and the proof is right here before our eyes. Well done, poetess  |
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