Something. Anything.

This morning on my walk to the subway (which turned into a walk to the bus) I prayed for God to show me beauty. For my eyes to be able to see something, anything in the world around me the spoke life. Something in the grayness and ugliness and bitter cold that made me happy to be alive. Some little thing that reminded me of the promise of Spring, of Love, of Beauty. Of a reason to not just go back to bed until mid-March.

I saw a silver and green tapestry in a shop window. I saw curly-qued balconies on each floor of an old brick walk-up apartment building. The dark black iron of the balconies and window-sills emerging from clay colored brick stood stark against the white snow. Snow which lingered in cracks and crevices and was stuck frozen, sliding down the pitched roof- slanting toward the sidewalk six stories below.

I saw antique jewelery in a shop window- broaches and earrings that clipped on and odd looking pieces like parrots and starfish and turtles. Jewelry that had a past. Jewelry that told a story.

I saw a wonderfully crafted dress featured in a boutique store window on Lexington. The bust was formed with meticulous detail from which the skirt below flowed flawlessly; it was cut on the bias. On the bust bits of pink and cream poked out from silver embellishments. The bottom of the dress was green that was almost black. It reminded me of a fancy pond in the middle of someones meditation garden; flesh colored petals floating atop the water side-by-side with lily pads.

I heard the couple behind me speaking French. The syllabals falling perfectly. The conversation soft and purposeful and forever pushing forward. Like a train passing by. Or the boom-click-boom-click-boom-click of high heels. Or a rushing river. Intoxicating.

I saw a white haired man help his wife across a mound of snow and ice 12" high. He held her hand as she cautiously stepped before climbing the steps of the bus. He stood on the sidewalk and waved to her after she found seat. His smile showing teeth.

Once on the bus myself, I heard a little girl, who was wearing a multi-colored, striped toboggan holler, "Abigail!, Abigail!" after she saw her classmate board the bus. She laughed. She was simply thrilled. She saw her six-year-old friend in an unexpected place and her toothless smile displayed her joy.