I sit by the lake, with a coffee in hand, feeling alone and just watching. A woman walks by, dressed just so, probably on her way to go shopping. But then a solo thought begins to creep in, "perhaps if I dressed like she.... I wouldn't be sitting alone with myself, wanting to be someone other than me."

A couple come strolling across the path, older in their years. "How lucky I would be with a hand to hold"... my mind, it knows my fears. With weathered paint and lovers' initials, this bench is my companion today. Remaining here even after I go, and caring not how long I stay.

At the water's edge, a young man in sweats with a cell phone in his hand. There he sits, my next "I wish it were me", conversing about supply and demand. His voice of monied confidence, his next stop is the gym. But by the lake, leisurely running a company, for a moment I wished to be him.

With my coffee now gone, along with distraction, I replay what has just occurred. For each one who walked by, I have tried on their souls, without a single word. In this simple moment of epiphany, my stirring soul softly weeping. Internal tears I should never have caused, "but am I not worth your keeping?"

The voice of my soul, set aside for so long, ready to share in wisdom. I am ready for truth, and ready to let go, of this uselss, fruitless vision. I am worthy of love, and it starts with me... soul, please with me stay. Forgiveness and love, how closely the same, a lesson was learned today. A sun shining brightly, and a heart of light, new thoughts race in my mind. The era has passed, no more need of soul shopping, for I realize mine fits me just fine.

~sbhenderson

~Very nice,Suzette.
Thanks for posting!

Take care,
Silke

very nice

there's an interesting balance between empathy/sensitivity (the ease with which you can walk a mile in their shoes) and envy/self-esteem (wanting to stay there).