Succinctly Said

At Houston’s sumptuous Wortham Theater, I thrilled to Stanton Welch’s amusing Cinderella and Prokofiev’s splendid score. Waiting in line at the rest room provided further entertainment. We ladies-in-waiting politely chatted as we inched forward, though in reality, we scrutinized one another’s clothing, hair style, makeup, shoes and figure. Thus, as the proverbial queue inched into the rest room, we were “on stage” before an attentive audience. Impressive solos ensued as each patron pranced from water closet to wash basin.

Insanely high heels were the main attraction and I admired the flair of head-to-toe ensembles. Had I, at such a tender age, been as chic and confident? And how would I fare against haute couture? Not to worry. I swept from the ladies’ room with shoulders back and tummy tight. My chic was of the traditional sort, and, unlike my younger, well-heeled counterparts, my steps were confident in sensible, no-pain-endured Naturalizer flats.

        Dressed smartly in yellow and black, this spiffy VW Beetle is the center of attention. She is cute, petite, and possibly on the prowl. I glimpse a tease of faux animal fabric on her steering wheel and her long, lush lashes flutter at a brawny SUV. Still, all things considered, I believe she will decide against the bravado, and ultimately choose a sensible, hard-working sedan; a wise decision for any contemporary female.

Bladders, Old and Young

 How marvelous!

The bladder – young,

Strong and taut

as yet, unstrung.

Impossible!

the bladder – old,

Stressed from birthing

long ago.

It drips and dribbles,

outright leaks,

Stealing deep and

restful sleep.

It’s not enough,

I’m sad to say,

That aging bladders

droop and stray.

Aging breasts

are just as bad!

For, as youth dims

breasts sway and sag.

At midday I spotted a Dodge Durango, dressed to the nines and intent on getting someplace important.  A sleek, cream colored body softened the tightly fitted top of shocking pink. Killer wheel covers  glittered like runway stilettos and darkened windows added to the mystic. The Dodge was overdressed for daytime and a definite show off!

Along that same road, I spied an aging Pontiac Grand Prix. It lacked a back window and bungee cords secured the battered trunk. Though a car length behind, I could see faded and torn upholstery, a cracked windshield, and smears of indigo blue body paint. In the midst of such unsightliness, the owner drove attentively, head held high. With seat belt, rear view mirror and brake lights properly intact, the rest of the disheveled car reflected his persona not a whit!  The Grand Prix was a survivor.

Now we come to the braggart, a mild-mannered Nissan Altima. With its look-alike Buick port holes it masqueraded as the older, more grown up car. It proclaimed to be “RAW LIKE UNCUT BEEF.” I wondered if the driver meant to boast, to complain, or to dare? Perhaps such a public statement puffed up his ego and indeed, he was merely a reflection of his beige, pseudo Buick. 

I pictured the Durango as party-loving, the Grand Prix as tenacious and the Nissan as macho. Perhaps these pictures are worth less than the proverbial thousand words but I certainly enjoyed the view.

In our neighborhood, Tuesday is recycle day and everyone’s eco-friendly refuse sits nakedly at the curb. Also in our neighborhood lives an enterprising older lady who searches said bins for aluminum cans. She drives a three-wheeled surry, sans fringe on the makeshift top. Her velocipede has a large metal basket to hold her bounty and the PVC frame supporting the fabric top has a row of hooks. She is orgnized and serious about her can collecting. This inventive woman has grit. Think of her when adversity next looms.

In the Neurological ICU waiting room sets a large fish tank. Its innards are slightly darkened for the comfort of its citizens. There are five fish, variously sized and colored: silver, pale yellow, splotchy black and gray, dazzling gold and dull white. Artificial vegetation, one clump a surprising fuschia, sways among the expected greens. Odd sized pebbles and larger rocks cover the floor of this cube-shaped ocean. The fish mesmerize. Huge eyes stare, delicate fins wave, colorization amazes. The fish are a marvel of engineering and for a few minutes I find a corner of calm.