Listening to your love of vintage, your love of finding beauty and joy in culture passed down, lived in and appreciated, I smile. What an incredible mind and eye! What wonderful hands, hands that seek out, that give a second wind and make the second-hand, brand new. I wonder what you seek today? I wonder what is simultaneously seeking you? I hope it is the same care, attention and tenderness that you give these gifts you inherit. Thinking of this, brings me much joy.
But also a little jealousy lol. Your hands running down that jacket. Holding that camera. To be held by you? Or better yet, beheld. Witnessed and seen? A great, life-changing event that I can only imagine, dear stranger.
I wonder what the laughter behind your wide-eyed smiles sound like? I wonder if you laugh like your mother or your father? Or is it a new, original, highly infectious concoction? Yes, you’re very brilliant, beautiful and creative. Entirely ravishing (respectfully) God has truly blessed you. Early 2000s fine? 90s fine? How about timeless? How about non palatable? A beauty that demands the utmost respect and devotion before it is even glimpsed or stepped to. (((A pre-social media beauty. Not available, not accessible. Seen once and obsessed over for years, written about in many languages, spoken about with sighs of exasperation and exclamation marks galore!!!! “Do you remember HER!!!! (Sigh)”, “Of course, she’s unforgettable and she haunts you and torments you with those eyes of hers…” (Sigh) lol )))
The wind that has blown through your hair is so so lucky, the sun that has kissed away your melancholy, and whispered sunbeams along your neck and shoulders, luckier still…
But beyond this beauty are so many deep layers, each one more richer than the last: a dark (savage) sense of humour, a playful, curious desire for knowledge, an infectious, buoyant energy to always improve and feel the fullness of the day beneath your feet, enshrined in both movement and stillness.
Your knowledge of music is so rich, but what is knowledge without sharing? Your generosity to pass on and share what has moved you, is lovely, where or better yet: who, did you learn this from? Your dear Grandad perhaps? Forgive me my guesses dear stranger. I do not presume to know you.
You are that wonderful song, that I don’t yet know the name to. The one I thought I imagined. It sounded so good, like a melody I’d dreamt of in the deepest of dreams after one of my most fulfilling days. To me my dear, you are that once in a lifetime, unnamed song: new, but somehow remembered. Playing on the radio on a summers night, stars Illuminated by your chords and baseline. Songs like these, you're lucky if you ever hear them again and if and when you do, its like a homecoming of sorts...
I guess what I'm saying is: I think (guess) you bring out the best in those around you, like a great song. I dance, I smile, I contemplate and I move forward as I imagine basking in your luminous presence. You make me a better soul and I don’t even know you. I've heard but seconds of your melody...I cannot fathom what it feels like to hear your whole song.
What a rare, timeless gift you are, your own vintage soulfulness has pierced me and made an indelible, unforgettable mark. One so impactful we don’t ever have to meet: this is enough. I am full. High on your words as I take my leave. Mesmerised by the mysteries of your aura, what a delightful scent it is. I imagine it and I am intoxicated…
