Do I know you?
By Rhiannonw
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I thought to meet her on Sunday morning.
Is she a stranger, or not?
How much do I know her
now, or of the years past,
her life before?
Friendly, warm, kind, cheerful,
appreciative of lifts to church
now that feet have painful problems,
punctual and careful of letting us know
if lift not needed.
Cheered by those who greet her
and who take an interest. in how she is faring.
Appreciative of straight-forward
sincere opening up of the Bible.
Willing for new music and songs.
Still living on her own, since widowed,
has those who help and can be called upon.
Can still drive sometimes to the doctors etc.
Doesn’t easily ask questions or
take an interest in others.
Maybe because she has always been a busy person –
I think she married a widower with family
and they ran a guest house, and a business –
is that the origin of her trouble with her feet?
I knew her husband, a little,
but never close to know him well either,
and have no knowledge of what family remains.
Is she a stranger,
or not?
I muse on how easy it is to blunder
with someone whose background
and feelings and experiences are
so unknown, not easy to help her
to look out in friendship, with
concern for others …
[iP: imaginagion about the first stranger you meet when you go out. ]
I don’t get out a lot at present, and mused about this lady I knew would be the first I’d see on going out the next morning. As it happened she was unwell, so I didn’t see her that time. So this is not exactly like the IP cue, but I thought it had relevance, as even more we can’t assume the character, experience of someone totally unknown, so easily we jump to conclusions …
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Comments
"I muse on how easy it is to
"I muse on how easy it is to blunder.."
That's an interesting and thoughtful pen picture you draw, Rhiannon. I think it is important not to make assumptions as you allude to. We often think we know someone and, as it turns out, we often don't.
Food for thought in your pensive and interesting poem. Paul
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Hi Rhainnon
Hi Rhainnon
As somebody who is rather unsociable in situations where I am not comfortable, I can appreciate this person you are describing, but know how nice it is to have someone offer me a lift, or make some comment to include me in their life.
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I was approached by an old
I was approached by an old man in my nearby home town. He just about told me his life story in about ten minutes.. Just as he was about to move offf he said "thanks for listening, I don't have anyone to talk to..." I still want to cry when I think. May God bless him with many more inpromptu conversations...
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