by Renee Mcknight

Created on: May 06, 2009

I have never wanted anything more than to be a bag lady.

As I was walking down the street one sunny afternoon, awaiting a transit bus, watching people scurry along the way in such a rush. I began to wonder where these people were going, what the big emergency was, why everyone was in such a panic. They aggressively pushed people out of there way and some were like me, patiently awaiting there transit bus, looking around pointlessly.

Then out of the corner of my eye, there she was my inspiration, the lady looked so free, though a tad bit rough. She looked like she had seen so much, yet the gleam in her eye so peaceful. Her face looked as if it were permanently frozen in a serious expression. Her hair was different as if she had seen a style that others have missed out on. She had with her a bag, which she held onto with both arms, and she glanced at me and smirked. I stood there impressed by her freedom, that I could not seem to look directly at her. I knew she was not waiting for transit as she passed by me that day, she was heading somewhere else. Maybe it was a wonderful place, she then had my attention, Where would she be going? What was in that big grey bag she was carrying?

I decided to approach her but stopped half way, something was telling me that this freedom and peacefulness was what I truly desired, not the fast paced race that I involved myself with everyday. I watched everyone else run around her as she just stood there, looking up into the sky, she seemed so relaxed. What was she looking at? I wanted to get a glimpse of this wonderful sense of freedom she was exhibiting, she carried her bag in her arms and continued to walk as my transit bus pulled in, I wanted to wave to her as i felt i have known her all my life, and as the bus passed by I finally got to see her she pushed her hair out of her face leaving a trail of black across her cheek. I have never seen her again, and often wondered if I would ever see her again but I never have. The lady who gave me the inspiration and the sense of freedom that I have always wanted. The new hair style and make up, the vision I have of this woman standing there relaxed gazing up into the sky, maybe her bag was magic and inside a magic relaxation potion.

From that day on I have never wanted anything more than to be a bag lady. Then my transit bus stopped and I stepped off, I remember looking ahead to a bright and wonderful future, as a bag lady, and could not wait to get that hair style.

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