Bowl 35: Ruby

 

In her pink bicycle helmet

she is eye to eye with the swan,

and in thrall to a potent mix of excitement and fear

drops a dime at its feet.

I make a grab for it,

also noticing both excitement and fear,

and tell her, "not food. it's not good for the swan."

She is nonplussed.

"Bird," she says.

"Yes, a bird, a kind of bird called a swan, and it can't eat money."

She is unconvinced, 

but we continue talking and looking at birds -- 

ducks, pigeons, ibexes, seagulls.

She sees birds, and I probably have more words than I need.

Later she holds tight to the bowl,

and doesn't want to give it up for her mom to put safely away. 

I love her independent, feisty spirit

totally engaged with whatever is happening around her.

As I say goodbye, she's become a blur of pink,

pink shirt, pink helmet, pink bike,

circling the swan, very much in command,

and thoroughly enjoying the ride.

Bowl 34: Claudio

I am walking along the lake shore surrounded by swans.

White with orange beaks.

Black with red beaks.

Graceful in the water, they are ponderous on land,

their huge feet making slapping sounds as they wander the paths,

like old men walking in slippers several sizes too big.

We stand side by side

gazing at a black swan who is clearly practiced in posing for the camera.

He admires my bag and I offer a bowl.

Not because of the compliment,
but for the willingness to engage.

Actually I offer two and ask him to choose.

He selects my favorite, and then offers a bracelet that he takes from his arm.

The sun is shining, the water sparkles, all is beautiful.

He and his sister Claudiana have the day off and have just come from lunch with friends.

We chat about this and that, and part with lots of smiles and hugs.

My heart is light as I move among flocks of swans and people,

wandering aimlessly this beautiful afternoon at the lake. 

 

 

Bowl 33: Jordan

"Hi," he said as his mom helped him from the car.

His smile was glorious!

"I hope you're having a good day. Which one is your car?" he continued.

 

I was entranced, and followed them into the cafe.

After a brief chat with mom, I went to the table where Jordan waited.

"How old are you?" I asked.

"Five," he replied. "Mom, am I five?"

"Are you in first grade?"

"Mom, am I in first grade?"

"No, kindergarten."

"I'm in kindergarten!," he beamed.

 

His hands went carefully around the bowl.

Turning it round, feeling it's heft.

I pulled out my camera.

"You will need to take that off," he said pointing to the lens cap.

"ah, yes," I said, "something I often forget to do."

"Did you get my shirt in the picture too?" he asked.

and I showed him the photos . . . 

"You did," he said, and his eyes sparkled.

How easy it is to fall in love.

In just a moment the heart is captured,

suddenly head over heels, 

on a cloudy day in a parking lot

just like every other parking lot,

just when you least expect it.