As a librarian might say, about books or people, “You can’t judge a person by her skin.”
Yes, but I can for fun.
Did you see the magazine that comes with this morning’s Globe and Mail? Today’s Free Fall writing prompt is a one page fashion photograph of a lady in solid colours, and nice hat, against a blank wall with a pipe looking like a pig coming out of the wall.
Of course a still shot, or even a brief encounter of her moving about, gives one little or no insight into her character, be she good or bad: Of course I know that, but it’s nice to daydream.
Writing Prompt- a fashion photograph
I said, “Heidi, I get a kick out of how you are my cousin.” She smiled, blossoming like the sun. “Because otherwise, I wouldn’t know any gorgeous models.”
She laughed a short contralto laugh and said, “I’m not gorgeous, you are. I’m pretty. We talk about gorgeous boys when they are not around.”
“Yes, I get it. I s’pose in the modelling world you would know lots of gorgeous guys.”
She smiled like a sunflower, her eyes like amber. “Yes, we know their appearance. And we know they are merely people, like us. No mystery.”
“Still,” I said “I just had to laugh when I had my arm around you in the lingerie store. People didn’t know if I was gay or your boyfriend or just what.”
Her eyes glinted merrily.
“Say,” I said “if I would take your arm as we walk I could feel like a proud secret agent.”
“You won’t, but I may take your arm.”
We were by the sea wall, smelling the salt air as the sea sloshed and fidgeted, as the the sea gulls cried overhead. “Let’s head back to the market,” I said “as I want to look at the jewelry displays.”
She laughed. “Of course you’re not gay. But if we are going to look at jewelry, I had better put my arm around you.” So she did. I tried not to get a sore face from smiling so much. Everybody needs a cousin who is a pretty model.
We made our way along the dock, past wooden bollards, smelling creosote and enjoying a breeze. I was glad for her arm, for a knot of would-be tough guys approached. Four of them, wearing scarfs on their heads like in a US movie. I had seen them around. The social leader, I knew, was Bart. I thought less of him, remembering the time he looked over at Grant’s date for the night and announced, “I’m going to steal her.”
… …
Then I stopped writing, for the Free Fall timer went, but it’s nice to think that it all worked out, with no fighting.
.. …
… …
Sean Crawford
Expecting snow in the rockies,
And rain here,
May, 2026
Blog note: I make no apologies for a non-essay placeholder that is, as reporters say, a “bright.”
If you want educational grim essays, based on my background in a khaki life, then see the series of posts from 24 February, 2022 onwards… Ukraine shall be free!
