"i've often wondered..". he leans, earnestly, toward them as he stamps their tickets.
"what colour hair do you actually have?"
their fingers fly uncertainly to their framed faces, and they pluck at their austere headwear, too anxious at the unexpected question to see the twinkle in his eye.
"reddish", replies one, politely.
"black", adds the other. they quietly take their seats.
"and hello to you!", he greets the elderly woman tilting her rollator laboriously into the bus, "off to the disco again, i see?"
she giggles and swats his hand, and the two veiled girls, overhearing, realise, relieved, that they have not been singled out at all: they have been treated as equally as anyone anywhere could hope to be.
in retrospect, and finally - for that was his sincere intention - they smile.
Your post made my eyes water, just a little.
ReplyDeleteI love vignettes of the every day; little slices of life that make you smile for the humanity they impart.
Very very poetic.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder what color my own hair is - probably a combo of the two girls :)
~if I had more hair I'd know what coolor mine was!~
ReplyDeletecooler = COLOR!
ReplyDeleteI love those small talk. Keep us aware that life is made of small things. Great shot.
ReplyDeleteIt's life's 'seemingly' little moments that suit your site's 'little stories' to a tee, lynn.
ReplyDeleteIs it my imagination, or is this the first portrait you've shared here?
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot to like: his not looking into the lens, but the prevalence of green, how it seems to tint his shirt and eyes. Also, the quietude...
such people who are genuine in their remarks are a rarity these days...
ReplyDeleteportrait looks great though...
So you just took his picture while standing right there, eh? Great job! Told you it wasn't as difficult as it seemed... :)
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for this story...
ReplyDeleteYes, there are good people around and you come across them every day. A friendly "Good morning" from someone unexpected can make your day!
ReplyDeleteNo better way to start the day then with a little humanity and a joke.
ReplyDeleteGreat depth of field decision. It directs the viewer well.
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm silver blonde :-)
ReplyDeleteI was on the wrong road to somewhere this morning.
Which was not a good idea in the Paris rush hour. But I soon managed to get back on track with a little creativity. And a lot of honking Frenchmen :-)
I love this story, Lynn. What a treasure it is to find someone, like a bus driver, who (even as he labors in what many would consider an annoying an mundane job) takes the time to brighten someone's day with a personal and good natured observation or loving tease. These kinds of people can make the drudgery of the comings and goings of everyday life that much more enjoyable. Wonderful portrait, both in word and image.
ReplyDeleteLynn your stories are always masterfully written. Every word is in the right place, essential to render a particular facet of the story, the people in them, their emotions. The suspense is kept until the end, when all pieces fall together. There are no super-humans in your stories, but real people with real feeling and real lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat a graet comments for a simply busdriver as i am.
ReplyDeleteBut Lynn makes the pictures and the comment, so she has been a great job.
Lynn thanks and I see you.