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Happy Men

Let me set the scene: I walk up to five men skateboarding by the statue in Prospect Park, they are hanging with each other and I approach and I say, "Hey, I wrote a poem about you, for you, can I read it to you?"

All five of them look up at me like, what, what the hell is happening here? And then one by one they say, "Yeah, sure, do it." My phone has 1% battery left. It might die before I even begin. I am a white queer woman in her 40s wearing layers dressed to go running and only my eyes are visible. They are five young men of color, in their 20's, all masked. This scenario is admittedly the kind of thing you'd make fun of. By all means, do.

I almost walked right by them after I'd written it, but then I thought, why not tell your muse they are your muse? What harm could it do?

I'm new to poetry, but, I like that it is so much easier to share than an entire play. You can just give someone a poem.

I'd like to share it with you all too. I do think art heals, opens us up and bridges the gaps, and makes us feel less alone. It's true for me anyway. And I loved watching them skate, their glee filled me with happiness.

Skaters in red and black

Boards twirling

beneath white sneakers

Young gifted and

Egging each other on

A soft yehhhhhh

Jubilant grins

Smack talk

Whooo there it is

Scaling two overturned cones

Roadside orange and 911 blue

These are the happiest of men

Cradled among sycamores

Decks colliding

Seemingly oblivious

To twenty-five degrees

Beneath a Brooklyn sun

For those wondering what they thought - They were floored. They loved being the subject of a poem. They all offered fist bumps. ... It was an exchange of love. I had loved them and then I got to show them. And they gave it back. And to think I almost didn't turn back and say what the hell and read it to them. I mean, it was weird... hey, I wrote you guys a poem can I share it with you? ... but, what fun.

Winter Miller is an award-winning playwright living in Brooklyn with her cat, Gato. Her next project is a Radio Opera adapted from her play NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN, with co-composers Paola Prestini and Sxip Shirey with a world premiere of Part 1 of 3 this Feb. 24th online here.

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8 PAST RESPONSES

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Anonymous Feb 12, 2021
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Maren Baturin Breazeale Feb 11, 2021

Love the story - and the poem. I can see and feel the joy in those moments of sharing. Thank you.

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Debbie Dargavell Feb 11, 2021

Your story made me happy.

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Chris Page Feb 11, 2021

It’s really interesting, because, obviously, you took a great risk. Whenever we share our personal creativity, it’s a risk, but way more so sharing with complete strangers. Brava for that! (And the poem is really really beautiful..,)

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Patrick Watters Feb 11, 2021

Ah, yehhh, healing the world one small act at a time.

A wave and a smile go a long to smooth another’s journey, and perhaps even soften a bully’s heart. }:- a.m. proverb on the hoof

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ChiefTB Feb 11, 2021

That is a wonderful story and poem. Sharing with the muse. Love it!

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Vicky Smith Feb 11, 2021

Thank you for these pure-hearted demonstrations of love. You "See No Strangers!"

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Kristin Pedemonti Feb 11, 2021
Thank you Winter for listening to your inner voice that said, "stop & share" I resonate deeply! I've had the most amazing and deep connection in the streets, on subways, busses, sidewalks when I simply stop and connect. usually I'm the one initiating. Though at times, it's also the willingness to stop and engage ♡In DC, it was with Mr Weeks, a towering man with a booming voice, ebony skin and a twinkly grin. I'd see him when I walked to work. I dress rather "loudly" in pink with like green, turquoise blue and Mr Weeks began our initial connection with "hello, where you goin' dressed like that on a Tuesday morning?"I began our connection by stopping & responding, "World Bank where I'm teaching Storytelling"Mr Weeks: "phhhhhpppphhht, World Bank?! They don't need you, the kids, the teens, they need you..."And thus began the glorious nearly daily encounters and conversations, "being schooled" by Mr Weeks. And my payment to Mr Weeks were Hugs. Initial offer from me to him an... [View Full Comment]