Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Words count, so I counted

Over at the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, Mama Zen is the most concisely lucid writer I have ever read.
Today MZ asked us to write about a place where we felt perfectly safe, and to do so in 53 words or less. I've used 52.

Photo by Kay Davies, 2012


a woman I had just met
took me across the city
to a room full of strangers—
she said, “This is Kay,”
and they all said, “Hi, Kay, welcome!”
nobody asked questions
or looked inquisitive
they just said, “Hi, Kay, welcome.”
I’ve been there ever since
and I say, “Hi there, welcome.”

in memory of my friend Eroca, who died last year,
but who always made me welcome.

at

24 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 30, 2013 at 12:24 AM

    Eroca must have been very special, Kay. Yes, anyplace you are welcome, and to whom you can make others welcome, is indeed a safe space. Loved your economy of words - you took Mama's advice, and it's all the good stuff. Peace, Amy

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  2. AnonymousMay 30, 2013 at 2:17 AM

    Beautiful tribute!

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  3. Janine BolléeMay 30, 2013 at 2:20 AM

    Yes, there are people like that. And one is lucky to come across them.
    You must miss her.

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  4. Grandmother MaryMay 30, 2013 at 2:25 AM

    No judgements, no expectations, just welcome. Now, that's safe.

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  5. UnknownMay 30, 2013 at 3:35 AM

    Your title made me smile! I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like she was a warm person.

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  6. kaykualaMay 30, 2013 at 3:50 AM

    None the bother! Good not to be bothering other people. One feels safer this way! Nicely Kay!

    Hank

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  7. HannahMay 30, 2013 at 4:04 AM

    Such power in warm welcoming hearts...this is beautifully written, Kay. ♥

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  8. TCPCMay 30, 2013 at 4:59 AM

    A lovely tribute and glad that in his memory you still live the happiness of the welcome!

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  9. TCPCMay 30, 2013 at 4:59 AM

    A lovely tribute and glad that in his memory you still live the happiness of the welcome!

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  10. Vandana SharmaMay 30, 2013 at 5:13 AM

    Total strangers become friends with a simple hi...

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  11. Kerry O'ConnorMay 30, 2013 at 7:15 AM

    It is no small thing to be made welcome into a room and into someone else's heart. Great comfort when times are tough.

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  12. Yamini MacLeanMay 30, 2013 at 9:00 AM

    Hari OM
    ...Hi Kay - even in Blogspace you make me feel welcome.

    Thank you. YAM xxx

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  13. hedgewitchMay 30, 2013 at 9:03 AM

    Yes, that sounds like a comfortable place, Kay--and acceptance and welcome are worthy of deep appreciation in this world that is so good at ignoring and marginalizing people.

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  14. DarylMay 30, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    lovely ...

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  15. jabblogMay 30, 2013 at 10:02 AM

    It's always pleasant to be made to feel welcome.

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  16. HelenMay 30, 2013 at 11:23 AM

    ... this is heartwarming. Everyone deserves a friend like your Eroca.

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  17. Sherry Blue SkyMay 30, 2013 at 11:26 AM

    Oh so poignant, Kay, that this is in memory of such a gracious soul. Beautiful. What a gift that kind of acceptance is. Is the city in the photo Medicine Hat? It looks lovely. I picture you on the outskirts, somehow, given the coulee........am I right?

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  18. Kay L. DaviesMay 30, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    @ Sherry —
    Oh, I wish!
    No, it isn't Medicine Hat. See the mountains behind the city? It's Vancouver, taken from Kitsilano across English Bay to the West End and downtown.
    My friend Eroca and her wonderful daughter Christabel were living in Kits during Eroca's final illness, and I was visiting them the day I took the photo.
    K

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  19. Maude LynnMay 30, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    A lovely tribute, Kay. That kind of safety is so rare and precious.

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  20. Other MaryMay 30, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    Ah, that's wonderful! This is a lovely, safe garden full of the nicest toads! :o)

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  21. Maggie GraceMay 30, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    To be welcomed and accepted "as is"...how beautifully you captured that feeling. Lovely tribute to your friend.

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  22. AnonymousMay 30, 2013 at 8:55 PM

    Sounds very special in a way that places that do not emphasize "specialness" sometimes are. k.

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  23. Susie ClevengerMay 30, 2013 at 11:34 PM

    Sounds like a great place to be

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  24. Kay L. DaviesMay 30, 2013 at 11:58 PM

    @ Susie
    For me, it's the best place to be.
    K

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