Monday, February 8, 2010

The Place Where You Get Off









Outside the station, she stands with her child on the side of the street, taking pictures of cars.

You think she's insane. Until, one day, you notice that she's taking pictures of the license plates of the cars her child gets into.

Because you look. But you do not see.

And she walks out the shop with bags full of cat food. You think she's some crazy cat lady until you find out, she has no cats.

Because you eat. But you do not taste.

It's been a while since their last album but he assures you, he's doing just fine these days, white flecks in his nostrils. Then he asks you if he can spend the night on your couch, even though it stinks.

Because you sniff. But you do not smell.

And they say "Just OK" when you ask them how school was. Then you wonder what they're hiding until you find their diary and the last entry reads "I wish you'd give me some privacy."

Because you listen. But you do not hear.

And they've got a bruise over their eye and you run the tips of your fingers over it and ask them how it happened. You believe them. Until it happens again.

Because you touch. But you do not feel.

And they walk past you everyday, one million stories, each waiting to be told. Waiting for you to ask.

Because you live. But very few, love.

55 comments:

misplacedfriend said...

Iain...friend...

This is truly stunning. Such a well woven story-you've outdone yourself, man.

<3 Lief, dear buddy. Lief.

E

Kate said...

goosebumps.

a said...

amazing. thank you.

li-thium said...

wow

Anonymous said...

Really felt that one. So much we can do better.

The Deuce said...

I have no comment that would give this post justice :0

Ally said...

oh my. this is so deep. i don't even know what to say.
that was so intensely beautiful.
thankyou for writing.

Suzel said...

wow.

brethtaking... theres nothing else to say.

Apple N. said...

Oh, my gosh. Breathtaking <3

Gine said...

OMG I love this post! May I put/mention/share it in my blog please please please? I promise will give credit back to you.

E. said...

I hope you know I listen when you talk and then analyze it all in my brain.
I hope you listen back.

Loved this Iain :)

Me said...

Of course you can but yes, I appreciate being credited <3

Sage Ravenwood said...

Hauntingly beautiful. A profound realism, if only people would love. (Hugs)Indigo

Anonymous said...

I'm a long time reader but I've never commented.
I've neve commented because I never knew what I could say to any of your posts that would do them justice.
And what is say now still won't do justice but I feel the need to speak.
This post astounded me. In ways I don't even understand. So I'll forego explaining them.
This post is the reason I believe everyone deserves a smile and a second chance to make a first impression.
Some tines even if we do hear, we still never know/hear the whole story.
Sorry or the long windedness fo this but I had to comment.
Thank you

Sarah A. said...

I love this. Completely amazing.

ning said...

Everytime they argue, she digs up past accusations of dalliances that had gone undenied. She thinks it's guilty silence. She does not realize that he holds the same wistful look everytime.

She says she will forgive, but she has never forgotten.

diana said...

as easy as it is for me, life is getting too hard.

Lan said...

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
love,
Lan

Anonymous said...

This gave me the chills. I absolutely love it.

Anonymous said...

This gave me goosebumps. It was amazing. I hope people read this and show more care to others. <3

Anonymous said...

This gave me goosebumps. It was amazing. I hope people read this and show more care to others. <3

Anonymous said...

this makes me want to be a better person. thank you so much.

Candy said...

I got goosebumps. This is...wow. Amazing is an understatement.

Anonymous said...

whoa.........
i'm blown away.

Anonymous said...

You made me smile, breathe deeply. But most of all you reminded me of what it is to appreciate lain.



You've changed my life in so many ways, you will never even begin to know. Thankyou.

Anonymous said...

This blog is my best kept secret, closest to my heart.

Ola said...

I'm afraid that sometimes we read but do not understand! Great post

JoannaEris said...

Did you know that you are changing lives with your posts.. all are magnificently written. Kudos!

hp said...

yes, the only way it can be explained.

blackbird said...

this is an amazing post. you could not explain human apathy more clearly and vividly.
thank you. for being you. and doing what you do.

Shandra E...*the misses said...

WOW!!! purely amazing!

Unknown said...

It is safe to live, and dangerous love. Easier to live in denial then understand what we must do.

P.T said...

stunning!

Leona said...

So beautiful :)

Thanks for this ;D

Sus. said...

If I only knew how to write like you... I would be one lucky bastard. (':

Anonymous said...

I so love this! (=

Anonymous said...

Please may i place this on my facebook along with your name, as I feel the need to let my friends understand the injustice they doing to themselves by not reading your magnificent works.

ipretendimafilmcritic said...

This made me cry. Wow.

Aman said...

this was wow...i loved it...by far the best for me!

KS said...

I am crying. I loved this very very much. We need more people like you in the world.

Anonymous said...

You're an excellent writer. I love how you own your words. Thank you.:)

Sus. said...

Katrina is totally right about having more people like you.
And you have no idea how glad I am that I find this marvellous place like your blog. (: Now I don't understand why people even think about reading mine. :D
You seem to be like me in some aspects. You use your life like you want it and there's nobody who can ruin your dreams. (:

Don't ever let them take you down! <3

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful.

Anna said...

Wow.

Anonymous said...

My mouth truly fell open as I read these words.

coffee said...

lovely :)

Anonymous said...

if every word in the english dictionary would be enough to explain how good this is!

"Because you listen. But you do not hear."

Anonymous said...

so so beautiful. i shivered at the last sentence.

Anonymous said...

That was...amazing !

Anonymous said...

brilliant.

Anonymous said...

Starting to read all of the other posts on here. You, my friend, have a gift. You are simply amazing, and I am so grateful that you take the time to maintain this beautiful blog. Thank God for people like you who
truly see
truly hear
truly feel
and, truly live.

May whoever holds your heart, know what a treasure you are.

x
FF

Anonymous said...

goosebumps...

singularity said...

this is #1 in my favorite blogposts list.
beacuse i was trying to figure out a simple summary of 'living'. because for me,this post is it, the answer to life,universe and everything,if there is one, or atleast a pointer to it. :)

Courage Is Contagious said...

i love you i love you i love you
for this and everything

klara said...

Since this place is a place where you can tell stories, I found the post to tell this.

Today a stranger´s story hit me. I was sitting in a train station´s waiting room. At that moment there was no one else but a young man who had asked me about the time and whether I know when his train leaves, and we had exchanged some small talk, then fell silent. He was handsome, but I couldn´t work out where he came from, I only saw he was from somewhere else.
And suddenly I heard sobbing. He took out a tissue and cried. I asked him if he was okay. He said no. He told me he was just thinking about his mother. He hasn´t seen her in three years. His parents live in Tunisia and he has no papers so he can´t visit them. He has a two-year-old little brother whom he doesn´t know. He often thinks of his mother and little brother and it makes him cry.
I felt like crying too, but that wouldn´t help him much, so I kept that for later. I searched around in my head but found nothing I could possibly say or do which seemed good enough to make him feel better. So I said nothing except that I understand. I smiled at him as I said goodbye to catch my train.

I´ll most probably forget his face, never see him again or know his name, maybe just sometimes vaguely remember him when snow falls, because today just before this happened, I saw the first snowfall of this winter. But for now I need this to be out somewhere and this feels like the right place or at least as good as any other. If you ever read this, I hope with all my heart that you will see your family again.