Monday 14 March 2011

Andrew - making a day

Ask a stranger’s name

and call them by their moniker

again, again, again. Smile!

Pose some little question

about themselves, a happenstance;

their tiny likes and dislikes, fads,

(and food’s a classic - fries and puddings,

vegetables, drink?) Persist.


Question ‘are you married?’

with a little twinkle

then ask them, now, to help you

in some small way – like, get a drink.

Call them by their name, again.

Say ‘I love you.’ Smile.

3 comments:

  1. Simple and powerful. I love your style

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  2. The power of asking a name and remembering it and using it with a smile...gentle writing...
    Reminded of the power of names in a different context. I read years ago that whenever Napoleon was inspecting troops he would stop at a soldier in the second row and ask his name. When he replied with his family name (French for Smith?), Napoleon would shake his head in mild annoyance. 'No, I knew that...it's your first name I couldn't remember.'That's why he could march on Paris on his own, knowing that they would flock to him....

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  3. there is something about hearing our name and having someone take an interest in us that makes all the difference in the world...

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