Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

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August 26, 2008

The You-Sized Place in the Universe

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:54 am

Empty_Harbor_by_Liz_Strauss

I look out on an empty harbor under a sky of forgotten blue. The day is barely started. The sun is making a slow climb up. My eyes are is taking a narrow, half-open view.

I hear the cars on the road below me, but they’re only so much noise — they remind me of a vacuum running in a hotel hallway some years ago. I try to recall yesterday’s walk in the sunshine, but I find an empty space inside that thought. Someone, lots of someones, are missing. I notice everyone who is not among them.

No runners are running. No walkers are walking. No people are standing waiting for their dogs. I don’t see people listening to ipods riding bicycles or skating by. Nowhere are talkers incessantly talking to listeners intently listening as they forget to be watching and unconsciously force others to move out of their way.

No one is sitting on benches thinking or sleeping. I can’t find the dreamers dreaming or the critics criticizing. No railers are railing or flailers flailing.

When you’re not here, your face, your mind, and your heart leave a hole in the picture.

Only you can fill the you-sized place in the universe.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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12 Comments to “The You-Sized Place in the Universe”

  1. August 26th, 2008 at 9:37 am
    Sal said

    Liz,

    Fantastic. I know exactly what you are talking about. I love those early morning thoughts that start to collect and seem to become more intense with the rising of the sun.

    I could almost hear the cars passing by, even in the hustle and bustle of my office place. Thank you for sharing.

  2. August 26th, 2008 at 9:50 am
    SpaceAgeSage said

    You have painted quite a deep sense of longing with your words. I hope the “hole in the picture” fills back in soon!

  3. August 26th, 2008 at 10:33 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Sage,
    It filled as soon as the sun broke the horizon. Thanks for asking. :)

  4. August 26th, 2008 at 11:23 am
    Cath Lawson said

    Hi Liz - that is brilliant. Mind you, when the noise and movement starts in the morning, I’m usually wishing it would go away after an hour or so.

  5. August 26th, 2008 at 11:59 am
    Jeanne Dininni said

    Liz,

    Well said (as always) and so true (also as always)!

    Thanks for an inspiring reminder of the uniqueness and value of each individual!

    Jeanne

  6. August 26th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Cath,
    I put the music on, and I get the best of both worlds. Thanks for the comment. I’m smiling to see you!

  7. August 26th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Jeanne!
    People and stars are made of the same stuff, and when we go missing, we leave a dark spot where we once were. :)

    Thank you for noticing. :)

  8. August 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    #1
    Hi Sal,
    Sorry I overlooked your comment in moderation.

    You described exactly the rise of the noise as I was feeling it. Sometimes the morning seems nicely empty of people. Sometimes it just seems empty and waiting.

  9. August 26th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
    Sal said

    Liz,

    No problem, I am short, it happens often in my family. It is amazing that as the sun rises, so does the noise level. Everyone comes out of that slumber and begins the day. I often sit outside in my rocking chair (I’m not that old, but my wife has made a comment that I will be the old man shaking his cane at passers by telling them to slow down) and watch and listen as the world wakes up.

  10. August 26th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
    James from Babyspot.com said

    Liz,

    You did it again! WOW! Very Nice!!

  11. August 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Sal,
    I so like my mornings looking out the window. So I can picture how great it must be in that rocking chair for you. Yeah, slowing down is a good thing for all of us. :)

  12. August 26th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Thanks James,
    See if you didn’t leave that comment. It would have been missed. :)

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