The man child

I observe, from a safe, if a little intrusive distance

a beautiful man child walking

in silhouetted form

His shoulders squared against the cold

I want to reach out to ask, for I find his form

quite appealing and desirous of contemplation

"What troubles you, why are you all alone, on a

fine evening like this?"

Though he is completely oblivious of my scrutiny

I delve into his mind's eye

He embraces the silence, as he focuses his inner thoughts

to find the peace he seeks within

For it is in solitude that the hunger of his tortured soul

releases the rabid demons that need to come out

to play those evil tricks

and perplex his mind with feelings of unworthiness

He casts his thoughts back to those forbidden places

and fond embraces that incorporated those

tumultuous times, he was happy even then

For he could love and laugh, and feel the freedom

that was his right to demand and take unequivocally

He is struggling with the feelings of a sudden change from

life well lived, to a life enveloped in aloneness

It is then that he sees himself, as if for the first time

Living only for himself, caring only about himself

and he vows to change his selfish ways

He vows to start reaching out to humanity

For are they not as tortured as he is right now

Are they not feeling the same pain and isolation

that a sudden shift in the paradigm of time has created

He is thinking of the diverse ways in which he can change

the circumstances of those less fortunate

than himself, those who need a kind and well meaning friend

Those who need a fresh start and a new dream

I am so proud of him

For he is me, and I am him, and he should be all of us

combined in thoughts and deeds

Together we must shine the light of sisterhood and

brotherhood for all to see

And so, seeming to have made up his mind on his next course of action

He retraces his steps, towards home

He reaches up, adjusts his collar again

This time, with a new found attitude

Obvious in the way he lifts his head

Throws his shoulders back and adjusts his gait

to match his mood

He whistles a catchy tune

His mind is made up

He is now home, he sits at his desk

Scrolling through the lists of worthy charities

He chooses a well known children's organization

Writes a check for a modest amount

He is not wealthy, but in time, he resolves

He will do better

He takes deliberate steps to his mailbox slot of

outgoing mail and it is sent

Tomorrow he plans to walk to the Soup Kitchen

He will invite a friend for moral support

and brave the crowd of strangers of which he has an

intense phobia

Forgive him, he is still learning

It is a great first step towards change

He will say to the world:

He is me, I am him, it is all of us combined

Did I stalk this man child, follow his steps to his place of

masculine abode

train my binocular on his private musings

Watch him turn out the lights as he bids himself

a fond goodnight

That would be so wrong

I envisioned it all in my mind's eye

I smile provocatively

Times have changed, people have changed

Circumstances and events have diverted us to a new path

Going forward has been realigned

And so, he has resolved to smile more at strangers

Say a well meaning and genuine hello to all persons

he encounters in his day to day space and beyond

And to steadfastly hold on to his hopes for a better

friendlier and more caring outlook on our changing and

diverse approach to a more healing lifestyle for all

We all need to "bloom where we are planted'

And appreciate and share that which we are blessed with

N.A.