I think I've seen her before. Maybe we all have. As time goes on and we change and grow I think each woman has chanced a peek at that girl who lurks just behind our shadow. A figure of grace and purity, she goes dancing past us and throws us a wink just in time for our ever remembering hearts to capture. Not one of us can deny that we enjoy these brief meetings yet we would never admit to actually wanting that crucial conversation that could clarify all of the sparks and now cloudy memories of our past. I myself have wanted that exchange of words that would give me that final peace and I do admit that I have rehearsed on many occasions the kinds of conversations I would have with her. So here and now as I write the preface to what I hope would inspire you to practice your reflexes I myself feel encouraged to hold onto those pieces of my life. If you happened to see that colorful dress or hear that bubbly giggle I sincerely hope that you would be brave enough to turn your head and catch that wink.If I could talk to that girl who diligently searches for snails on the butterfly tree, I would ask her what she worries about. She would probably glance down at the earth and make sure none of her slimy friends were where her feet were soon to trod. the golden hair that adorned her would be falling loosely down around each shoulder and her rosy cheeks would lift as she smiled and walked towards me. Ivory arms would lift to the sky, each of the snails holding tightly to her skin, and her reply would be a simple "nothing". The ripple of that bubbly giggle would fill the whole backyard as we would sit and talk under two large maple trees just brimming with the life of summer.
If I could talk to that girl that sits by the river, I would ask her about love. Her head would probably tilt gently to her right shoulder as she grabs the end of her long braid to pull it over her left shoulder. The blue of her eyes would curiously look towards the sky as her teeth would quickly bite over her bottom lip in a curious pose. That carefree smile that I remember so well would light up her face and she would respond with a giggle and a single sigh. The hem of her dress would teasingly graze the top of the water as her feet felt the slippery moss that grew on the river rocks. Her long and slender fingers would then prick the surgace of the water as she carved a figure eight into the liquid. "Love is like this water," she would say as the smile on her face would widen.. "It would be forever constant if our curious and persistent nature didn't cause us to ripple and break that seal."
What do you think? I am hoping that these girls have encouraged you to chose a quiet and contemplative place to sit and think about the past. You might even realize that your patience for the past has run out just a little and that you might not be so inclined to snatch that glance at the girl fleeting by but if you do, that option is always open.
