Thursday, January 11, 2007

I missed you two.

The Young Lovers riding to school. He's bundled up in an army green jacket, striped scarf round and round his neck, his corduroy cap perched atop his freshly shorn curls. He leans heavy on his hand, staring at the floor. She sits adjacent to him, reading, tucked tight inside a long black parka, her husky blue eyes darting back and forth between the page and the back of his head. The toe of her shoe rests gently against the heel of his.

The Dispossessed, Ursula K. LeGuin (HarperPaperbacks)

About 75 pages in:

The whole world, the softness of the air, the fall of sunlight across the hills, the very pull of the heavier gravity on his body, asserted to him that this was home indeed, his race's world; and all its beauty was his birthright.

They're both wearing headphones.

(Follow "His" and "Hers" for audio. This day, I wondered more what they were listening to.)

His:
where are we?
what the hell is going on?
the dust has only just begun to form
crop circles in the carpet
sinking, feeling

spin me 'round again
and rub my eyes,
this can't be happening
when busy streets a mess with people
would stop to hold their heads heavy

hide and seek
trains and sewing machines
all those years
they were here first...*

Hers:
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time
Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you
Maybe I'm amazed at the way you pulled me out of time
and hung me on a line
Maybe I'm amazed at the way I really need you

Maybe I'm a girl and maybe I'm a lonely girl
who's in the middle of something
that she doesn't really understand

Maybe I'm a girl and maybe you're the only man
who could ever help me
Baby, won't you help me understand...**


* Hide and Seek, Imogen Heap
** Maybe I'm Amazed (Paul McCartney), covered by Jem

14 comments:

Adam said...

Two of my favourite recent songs, yet they convey completely opposite messages.

So you think they're on the rocks then?

Anonymous said...

I think I caught a SeenReading protege on the streetcar today; a young lady with startling eyes giving darting looks at the readers and scribbling away in a little notebook. At first I flattered myself that she was looking so intently at me, but further examination proved that her interest was more likely in my book.

Julie Wilson said...

They're two of my favourite songs too, Adam. I immediately imagined her listening to "Maybe I'm Amazed", especially that cover-so pretty-because I could see her being strong and capable in all respects, but vulnerable in this one, new love. I don't think she, like most of us, feel completely comfortable with the idea of being defined by another person, or feeling that need to be defined by another person. So, I wondered "what if" she's looking at this boy and having a little panic. Can she give in to this fear?

For him, I had a few choices, but settled on "Hide and Seek", well, because it's a haunting song. I have some more back story on him, so as I see these two I'll continue in a direction that starts to explore more of his alone time. I'm always quite intrigued that while she appears lost away in her world, she's very much engaged in that place. He, on the other hand, sometimes strikes me as simply lost, but trying to navigate himself to a world which he'd like to engage.

Either/or, these two are still chummy!

Julie Wilson said...

Ooh August, I want it to be me you saw! (Now I know the feeling...) I look younger than I am...and I have startling eyes, the colour of a Steamwhistle beer bottle...you know, in the right light.

I found a few posts in the blogosphere, people trying to figure out if this whole exploration is interesting or just plain creepy. I still maintain that being known for reading, period, let alone what you read, is cause to be flattered!

Anonymous said...

The toe of her shoe rests gently against the heel of his.

Oh Julie you pick up the smallest but most important of details. She's so distant and yet she keeps herself attached, if only by her toes.

Julie Wilson said...

Toes under tables. Toes sitting beside one another in a movie theatre. Toes working on a science project together. Toes are the love that dare not speak it's name. :)

Anonymous said...

I don't think it was you, though. Are you a rail thin Indian girl who was headed north on a Spadina streetcar around 9-ish last night? Your photo doesn't lead me to believe that you are.

My vote would be "interesting" rather than "creepy". I definitely made sure she could see the spine of my book (I take the dust jackets off hardcovers).

Julie Wilson said...

Well then, there we are. No on all counts. Well, save for the girl part. (I checked.)

Charlatan said...

I too loved the line about the toe and heel...

I fell for my wife when our knees meet under a table and she didn't pull away. It was subtle but it made my heart race.

That was almost twenty years ago.

Julie Wilson said...

Do you think it's limited to toes and knees? Perhaps pinkie fingers could join the list. Something about them, those little gestures.

Here's to racing hearts. (And congrats on almost twenty years. Well done!)

Anonymous said...

Elbows leaning against eachother as you stare out over the water...or perhaps in the car on the ride home....

Julie Wilson said...

Well played! Elbows are huge! Yep, especially on the lean, you're right. Works itself into resting your head, turned away or toward the other person; especially toward where you can huddle your face away so that only your eyes betray emotion.

I wonder if "head on the lap in the back seat on the drive home after a late night" could get an honorary mention...?

Anonymous said...

Yes it could! I like that one too. I even just like the resting your hand on the others as he/she shifts gears sitting in the driver's seat....*sigh* you make me miss being in love....

Julie Wilson said...

It's a good thing to miss if it means keeping your heart open to surprises. :)