There’s a man who walks across the grassy slope past my office window every day. Every day he passes at the same time. He must work at the University, as I do. He is unremarkable. He is middle-aged, balding. His grey suit fits. He neither hurries, nor dawdles. He carries a brown bag.
But whatever the weather, he sings. Loudly. As if he has an audience in a concert hall. He walks and sings his heart out, flings his arms out to his sides, raises them towards the sky. He throws his head back and belts out songs into the sunshine or the rain as he walks.
Sometimes the wind carries his words away and I don’t hear what it is he’s singing. Other times the air is still and I hear everything and it feels like he’s singing to me alone.
I’ve never known even one of his songs but no matter how bad a mood I’m in, no matter what I’m doing, just watching him love his voice and the song it sings makes me smile.
Just as it did five minutes ago when he passed by my window again. Just as he does every day.
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DandyID
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This is really quite a lovely sentiment. It’s not often that people blog about the really simple things that make life worth being a part of.
Thanks so much.
I’m a simple girl, so it’s the simple things that interest me, mostly.
Hi,
I have been following you on Twitter (i’m a newby to Twitter and the online community) and have enjoyed your ramblings & thoughts so had a read of your blogs (i think thats what these are) – just wanted to say that i am impressed – you are a funny, clever and wonderful person – hopefully i will get to read your book (Australia is in the commonwealth so hopefully it will be sold here
Lovely to ‘meet’ you Justine.
You too, Darren. Thanks for that.
And I’ll be plaguing everyone about publication of the book – April 1st 2010 – as it draws nearer.
Cheers
You have a wonderful gift with our wonderfully rich language. It’s enough to make me follow you here as well as on Blip.fm and Twitter. Thanks for sharing your word wizardry with us.
Well, thanks so much!
Follow away. Hope the Twitter poop jokes don’t disappoint.
nice one justine