In our lifetime we meet countless people. Some of them are our family or friends. Few are our co-workers or acquaintance. Once I encountered a stranger, we met crossed each other for months. We never made eye contact or a formal smile. But she made a huge impact on my life the last time I saw her. I never knew her name or nationality or faith. This piece is for the ‘Stranger in red heels’.
—
Do you remember me as I do?
I remember your long brown hair,
often neatly styled with cute pins.
Once you wore those red heels,
the ones I eyed at Sandton Square.
The other time I found you carrying a chic fashion bag,
tinted red lips, oversized glasses, and Dan Brown’s Inferno.
—
After all these years, I surprised myself
I still remember you, like yesterday.
Yet, I never knew your name.
—
We crossed each other a dozen times.
Dines, libraries, shopping corners, and
mostly near those blue-green passages.
—
I envied your perfectly winged eyeliner,
I envied your 5-inch heels clicking,
I envied your smile adorning your face.
Probably you were the center of gossip
When tens of me had pity parties.
We, me, burning loathing.
—
Guess, the goody I was still in hibernation.
A soft rumble of cane kept it stupefy.
Until one morning I could no longer roll.
Wheeled in an emergency and you were still there.
—
Months ago, I slipped and tripped,
Multiple rehabs consult and still I limp.
My darling shoes left their spot,
Cane was the new BFF, unwanted.
Only words I repeat ‘Why me?’
—
Dressed in hospital gown,
Needles poking my wrist.
She caught my eyes again.
—
Contrast to her beautiful self,
she looked weary,
glow was missing,
flowy dress was gone.
The smile I resented was lost too.
That day our gowns matched.
—
Hours later nurse found me quiet.
The howling woman wheeled that morning was quiet.
The subject of my resentment was out from chemo room.
The pity party ended psssh, leaving me numb.
That was the last time I saw you.
—
I never had courage to find you.
Maybe you never noticed me wheeling the same corridor.
Or maybe you did.
—
Stranger in red heels, you changed me. Probably, you never knew.
Years later I can walk without support or limp. Scars remind me to be grateful. Grateful for being a better me. My gratitude diary has positivity as I choose to focus on them.
Do have any stranger who left an impact on you too?
P.S. “This post is a part of ‘UMeU’ Poetry Blog Hop #UMeUBlogHop organized by Manas Mukul . The hop is brought to you by Soul Craft and You, Me & The Universe.”
You made me a fan of your writing skills… Love the way you write.
Keep up the good work
Thanks!
The stranger in red heel inspired you to write this beautiful poem and we are inspired by reading it. Inspiration is everywhere, we only have to look. Thank you for sharing this beautiful perspective, Pragnya.
How we envy someone and are then struck with guilt to see that person in a worse condition. Each one of us on this planet is fighting some or the other battle which is undeclared undisclosed…
Beautiful Reflective poem to stop and think about our actions and deeds
Glad you liked the piece, Shalini.
What a beautiful poem. “Judgement” is something I try to refrain from and your poem beautifully highlights the same. To everyone fighting their own battles, hope they come out with a smile and stronger.
It is so easy to judge and difficult to reflect. Glad you try to refrain from the former. Thanks for stopping by.
That’s a poem that had a spell of poetry drawn well in it. Great read.
Thanks, Ranjini, you are kind.
Speechless….can’t say more!!!
Aww. Thank you.
Loved the way you weaved this impact of stranger story into a poem. We encounter such strangers many times. “That day our gowns matched” touched my heart.
To all strangers who taught us a slice of life!!
So relatable. Well said Pragnya, sometimes we meet people, unaware of their name, their identity but get connected with them in such a way that their presence is etched into the deep marks in our memories. These connections could be either way positive or negative, but yes we do remember them. Loved it!
You peeped in the stranger’s bond right through Archana. Thanks for your encouraging words.
What a beautiful take to the theme. The nameless bond with the strangers who sometimes leave a signature of theirs in our mindspaces is indeed special. Glad that the protagonist in the poem found some inspiration from his muse, even if a stranger. Lovely poem.
Isn’t it this connection that makes us ponder human relations and the ways our emotions work? Thank you for your lovely words, Ellora.
It’s ironic how we often need to see someone less fortunate(?) to rralise how lucky we are. It’s human tendency I guess.
But equally true is the fact that sometimes it takes a stranger to teach us what those we have known all our lives couldn’t teach.
The lady in red heels not just gave you a memory to hold dear but also taught you to be grateful and that too is a gift!
Maybe she did notice you that day. Maybe she knew her situation was helping you cope with yours in a better way. Maybe just for a moment, that made her happy.
We never know what impact we have on the people we cross oaths with . Let’s hope it’s always a good one.
Cheers! 🙂
True, she unknowingly or knowingly gifted me something powerful.
Wonderfully written, Pragnya.
The protagonist’s memory is still fresh about the stranger in red heels.
She is stranger no more. She is a part of her soul.
Envy gives way to sympathy
Life teaches us lessons in so many ways. All must be grateful everyday.
Rightly said, gratitude should be practiced by all religiously. Thank you for sharing your deep thoughts on my stranger lady.
Sometimes strangers do leave a profound and lasting effect without we realizing it. You have woven a beautiful story in your verses. Loved this unique take on the theme
Thank you for your appreciation.
Loved the unique take on the theme buddy, I make friends with strangers very easily and when they leave I have often admired their stories. I appreciate how you have weaved it into a poem.
Thank you for showering your love, Roma.
For a moment, I felt as though you were talking about the girl’s reflection. It’s only when their paths diverged into the hospital, that I realized they were two different people. Often we meet strangers who leave a lasting impression on our hearts. Beautifully penned.
True Mayura, often strangers teach far-stretched things that stay with us for life. Thanks for stopping by
Pragnya, we have always appreciated your writing style and thi sone is one of the best poetry. The flow is smooth in the poem and keeps reader captivating till end plus the brilliance is how you made readers think about most important aspect we ignore mant times, the impact of strangers on our lives.
Thanks for your kind words, Meenal and Sonal. We often ignore people around us but once we start, we get aware of stranger’s smile, their kindness, and more.
That was such an engaging narrative! It had me going “what next!”
This piece did remind me of a stranger I found everywhere I went, a certain guy with a ponytail I never met. Maybe I would write about him in a poem someday. Thanks for invoking in me lost memories
Now am excited to read your take with the said stranger. Thanks for sharing this wonderful comment. Music to my ears, Namratha.
This is really wonderful Pragnya. Loved the imagery and it touched my heart, especially the last part. Your poem reminded me of many such strangers who become part of our life journey and affect us in many ways. The ways of the universe are really magical and wonderful. This is sure going to stay with me for long, and whenever I spot red heels, it will refresh the memory.
Ways the universe work is beyond mere mortal understanding. Those red heels keep reminding me to be grateful for everything I have. Thank you Prachi, you are kind as always.
Touched by the way your poem ended. Some people are life changers without even knowing this. Your poem is a reminder to be grateful for what we have. Beautifully woven Pragya ♥️♥️
We often take our blessings for granted. Gratitude does keep us positive. Thank you Vandana.
Well, articulated, red in many places steals the show. The flow and emotions, so well captured.
Thank you, Ramya!
This was a poem with a story in it and a very touching one! We make so many interactions in our lifetime and the connections made with few strangers are strange enough to be carried in our hearts for a long, long time!!
Well put. At time, strangers do leave a deep impact on us. Thank you, Chinmayee!
Beautifully put, the story and rhyme. Strangers sometimes feel closer than the ones we know. You integrated the theme so well.
Deepika
Your words gave me warmth Deepika. Thank you!
Though the connection here was with a stranger, it was very deep rooted. I loved the vivid descriptions. The ending was poignant but had a great impact. Your poem read smoothly like a story. Indeed we all need to be grateful for who we are.
Little things to be grateful every day shape us. And often strangers like this help us remember those realities. Thank you, Gowri!
Yes, there are strangers who leave an impact and we never forget them. Very beautifully written poem and I enjoyed reading the underlying story in it.
Thank you Rashi. You are kind.
Strangers are always such a fascinating theme….. liked how you connected to this theme
Thank you Pooja ji!
So often it happens we form an unsaid bond with strangers. Many a times on a bus stop, local train, colony…and sometimes they end up leaving a deep impact without ever conversing.
This is really impressive Pragnya ji. It has all of my favorite elements…very contemplative and it has Dan Brown too. Loved how you told an entire story through this wonderful poem. It stays with the reader long after finished reading it. So happy with the quality of write ups.
Thank you so much for choosing to be a part of #UMeUBlogHop. This means a lot to me.
#Jokerophilia
Thank you for your encouraging words Manas ji. Coming from you it means a lot 🙂
Wow! Captivating theme and the flow is simply superb, Pragnya
Thank you, Leela.
Wow, that’s an amazing write up…loved it to the core and the way it’s captivating throughout
Thank you Leela!