A crowded market where spices
permeate air, hanging heavy on my senses
Lightheaded from apparent motion,
strange languages surround me,
unknown dialects from outlying sierras
Uncomfortable … I don’t understand what is said,
yet I am fascinated, even if I am anxious
Traditional clothing, patterns I don’t recognize
Dark hair and tanned skin, I stand out like a pale bleached sun
I’m out of place, I try to get in touch with my internal rhyme to
guide me through this uncertain time, entering
into a realm between what is real or imagined
Catching a glimpse of myself as I pass a mirror,
startled by its reflection … light hair, pale skin, blue eyes,
different …
permeate air, hanging heavy on my senses
Lightheaded from apparent motion,
strange languages surround me,
unknown dialects from outlying sierras
Uncomfortable … I don’t understand what is said,
yet I am fascinated, even if I am anxious
Traditional clothing, patterns I don’t recognize
Dark hair and tanned skin, I stand out like a pale bleached sun
I’m out of place, I try to get in touch with my internal rhyme to
guide me through this uncertain time, entering
into a realm between what is real or imagined
Catching a glimpse of myself as I pass a mirror,
startled by its reflection … light hair, pale skin, blue eyes,
different …
Posts
The feeling of being different rendered beautifully!
ReplyDeleteUncanny - I know this feeling to the letter, half a world away... internal rhyme works well too.
ReplyDeleteThis is about going back to our very self. I like how you end this piece. Concretely striking.
ReplyDeleteDifferent can be a curse, can't it? Great words.
ReplyDeleteI was someone else once, briefly. It was glorious!
ReplyDeleteThis resonates.
sometimes there is a comfortable distance
ReplyDeleteabout being different, something peaceful
space
best wishes
j
You absolutely catch the tang - and sometime threat - of being different in a foreign place. Superbly done.
ReplyDeleteI love how you capture that realization of being different. It's both heady and scary all at the same time. Also like the internal rhyme, works well and adds a distinct difference in this poem about being so. Wonderful,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
I think we all need to experience this. When we get too comfortable, we forget that others feel this way every minute of every day. Strong and important poem.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be the kindest person out there in blogland, Pamela. Thank you for always being so generous with your comments.
Excellent! I have felt that way sometime in Mexico. Your words were well expressed, true of me too.
ReplyDeleteStranger in a strange land. You detailed it perfectly.
ReplyDeletePamela, Your words carry an undertone of anxiety, I hope it doesn't cover you daily. Things seem heated near you, and it makes me worry. You've captured a universal in your poem. I felt similar on a journey through India several years ago. Thanks, and stay safe!
ReplyDelete~Brenda
and true of us. When we lived in Seychelles I couldn't get used to white skin being pale and uninteresting against dark, exotic and beautiful. You express the malaise beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, iself.
ReplyDeleteSure is hell being a gringo at times, Stan.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Arian.
ReplyDeleteNot so much now that we are in a different part of Mexico, more fair-skinned people here, Anthony.
ReplyDeleteRon, it made me uncomfortable at the time. Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteLoads of space, Janet:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave:)
ReplyDeleteI would imagine you could relate to this, being fair of skin, Mary.
ReplyDeleteI certainly felt that way a few times in that town, Mike.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I found myself anxious a few times when first arriving in Mexico, particularly in the small town we lived in for 6 years. The people were dark-skinned, exotic and the women absolutely gorgeous. That day when I noticed my reflection certainly startled me, I looked so, well, different. Where we are now there are plenty of fair-skinned people and it is much more comfortable. I appreciate your well wishes, but things are still quite safe here.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Viv, that must be a beautiful part of the world.
ReplyDeleteThis is so well written, and though I've never had the same experience, I think I can relate. I remember once being quite shocked when I was out with a group of teaching friends, looked in a mirror and saw this muuch older lady with all those young women. LOL, what a shock! ;) Great poem!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gloria, it can be unnerving.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I never was even aware of it, 'til that day walking home from class. It shocked the heck out of me at the time. I laugh about it now.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Marianne, as I said on your blog, I think there are some who would disagree with that, however being polite is part of my upbringing. I compliment people when they perform well, and I also say thank you when complimented. There is not enough niceness in this world, part of the problem, if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me think of instances when I felt the same. What strikes me most is how my sister in law from Venezuela must have felt coming to Florida to live and not even speaking the language and her customs different. She has done so well and I admire her so much.
ReplyDeleteYou describe your situation so well in this poem. Wonderfully done.
It was uncomfortable sometimes in the small village, Judy, but I also wondered how different it was to see me and my husband with our fair features.
ReplyDeleteYou captured that fish out of water feeling beautifully.
ReplyDeletePamela, this is nicely done, the thoughts, the descriptions, the senses invoked. You capture that time and place and your presence there well. I particularly like the ending. And you reminded me of a place that I want to write about for my take on this prompt. Thanks!
ReplyDelete