Near the wall of weeping stones there are reminders. So much happens beyond the light. One day, someone decides that the wall deserves more of our attention, and we gather nearby. In the process, we leave parts of our lives in wrong places.
–––A full basket of laundry, for example, in the middle of the hallway in the courthouse; a bucket of dishes in the fountain of the business park. Someone thinks, why not? and we get to washing them and now all we need is food. Someone calls their cousins to bring the grill. It is suggested that here is not the place for that, and the suggestion is collectively ignored. Unbuttoning his shirt, a guard offers tables. They’re inside, he tells us. Groups bring them out.
We cover them with cloth, candles, decorative plates, bottles of liquid, prayer cards, poems. Now that we have altars, the musicians begin. Once we have music, others arrive. Now we are a large circle by the weeping wall. A naked child runs laughing to the nearby ducks, outstretched hands and fingers splayed. An official story has ruptured before its conclusion and it falls in the center of our circle, bleeding song.
What an imagistic mash-up Stacey. I like the lines about the grill and the phrasing “collectively ignored,” and the arrangements that follow. Makes me think, love that. Thank you for sharing! Big fan of stone walls too. Makes me miss the remote parts of Scotland I’ve scoured, and thoughts of far-distant people and times. Be well…
Thank you, Bill! Now imagining the remote parts of Scotland I’ve not scoured. Be well!
They’ll still be there (and look the same)! Orkney Islands!
Beautifully descriptive.
Granny. Thank you : ) xoxo
I love this piece, Stacey. It conjures up all sorts of fascinating images in my mind as I read it. My favourite parts are where you describe – A full basket of laundry, for example, in the middle of the hallway in the courthouse; a bucket of dishes in the fountain of the business park. I can picture that so clearly as I write. Wonderful visions. I hope you are well. Xx 💕
Ellie. I am so glad this images resonated with you. They tickled me a bit when they showed up. Sending you love : )