BEWARE OF THE RED HEART-SHAPED LOCKED

BEWARE OF THE HEART-SHAPED LOCKET

“Beware of the red heart-shaped locket!” “Beware of the red heart-shaped locket!” Over and over again, my ears were hearing these words, but I could not comprehend from where they were coming. I kept on looking around – trying to “listen” with my eyes, as my ears seemed to be failing me – where were those words coming from? Maybe my eyes could find the source of these words, since my ears did not seem to be cooperating. I was totally befuddled – and, to be honest — somewhat scared. Scared because I did not seem to be able to stop from hearing them – over and over – over and over!

Beware! Red heart-shaped locket? When? Where? Why?

Again and again, like surround-sound, I kept hearing these words. The words were driving me crazy! Since there was no one else around, I could not ask anyone: “Do you hear what I am hearing? Do you hear the words ‘Beware of the red heart-shaped locket’ – are you hearing these words over and over again – or am I the only one hearing these constantly repeated words?” – this changeless, invariant, repetitive phrase – even what now seemed to possibly be a diatribe – mean or portray – or foretell?

The words were swirling in my head – they were driving me insane! Why would I have to beware of a red heart-shaped locket – a simple red heart-shaped locket? What would necessitate my having to be careful – or afraid – of a red heart-shaped locket? What harm, or whatever, could a red heart-shaped locket do to me – or anyone else for that matter?

I recall having a heart-shaped locket when I was younger – when life was innocent and care-free – when I was just a child. My mother had given me the locket as a birthday gift. I loved that locket. It was a gold locket, with hinges, where you could open the locket and put teeny, tiny photos of your loved ones – or maybe not loved ones – in the locket – and, when you felt like it, you could open the locket and look at the photos. That endeared locket did not pose me – or anybody else – any threat or danger – I certainly did not have to beware of that locket. I don’t remember what happened to that locket and it was strange that I was even thinking of that beloved locket in my current situation.

I remember hearing those words when I first had stooped down – stooped down because I saw something.

Something had caught my eye.

I have always been curious. I have always been what they call “observant”. I have almost always viewed my surroundings, no matter where I was, like a policeman – or a private detective – watching – taking it all in – looking at everything – well…. almost everything.

I had gotten off of work late – extra work – extra assignments – extra stress. I was actually looking forward to my late-night walk home, even though it was hot, humid, and steamy – I would definitely need to take a shower as soon as I got home — but, while walking on my way home from work late, this particular, strange night, with the streets and sidewalks bare of people, except me – and maybe some hidden homeless people – my eyes somehow caught a glimpse – a glimpse of something shiny – something red – and I stooped down.

That is all I can remember: I stooped down – hearing those repeated words: “Beware of the red heart-shaped locket!”

That is all I can hear now – my ears almost bursting with hearing those words – seemingly louder and louder – my being seemingly enveloped inside a small, heart-shaped, noise-filled environment — as I, too, began chanting those words, as a new person stoops down.