sadness

i met someone a few days ago who is a strange mix, the first thing you notice is the beauty, the light that comes through her skin from inside, it is like she is glowing as she moves. as I watch the glow, it feels like the escaping of energy she stored from the strong sunlit days of her youth, now pouring out of her adding to the lightness of her personality. this is countered by a sadness that passes over her face, but stays visible in her dark emotional eyes. the depth of her expression, changes from serious and concentrated to light, warm and happy within a moment. this happens when she remembers to smile, the brightness of the smile explodes with a power that is almost felt as a physical force.

this person moves deliberately in her light and delicate shoes, the impression one takes is that she could be a dancer, but is weighed down with memories of the past or worries for the future which stop the steps from being free. rather she takes delicate steps, careful to not slip on a spill someone has made around her while she was not looking. she moves through her day, watching those around her, waiting to help someone with simple requests which will move their morning forward. the deeper, personal thoughts sometimes crossing her eyes, but never changing her steps.

as I watch this new friend, i wonder about her life, what was the first memory she has from her youth, what things have brought her joy, what has given her sadness. the mix of the good and bad, lightness and darkness, the pressure and the release are the things that make us each who we are. the strains of life are the events which push us down the roads of our lives. when we meet someone who has both happy and sad parts of themselves so visible and intriguing, the desire to know more is lit.

the sadness of her eyes, wiped away by her smile, is a wonderful transition to watch. like dark storm clouds which have built in the sky over a long and tiring day, magically blown away and replaced by the bright sunlight of an african summer morning. this smile is one that will be hard to forget, it warms the people around it and lights even a pleasantly lit room with added warmth and energy.

i may not have the opportunity to see these dark eyes or this smile again. as our lives drift apart, i will remember the expressions and i will hope that there is less sadness and more of the bright wonderful smile. the light of the smile will be the memory i carry with me, but the darkness of the beautiful eyes will also come to mind, both will make me smile sadly.