Wednesday, October 20, 2010

At home with Strangers

Yesterday, you saw me, in the darkness of the evening
You assumed I was from Mexico and said "Ola"
And broke into a seemingly happy spiel in Spanish
While I stared at you, unable to respond in kind.
I walked away feeling miffed for not knowing Spanish.

Today, you saw me, in broad daylight
You saw my dotted forehead and joined your palms
You didnt know the word but I respond in Kind
"Namaste" I smiled thankfully, for though you didnt know the word
I understood you meant the gesture with every fibre of your being.

Sometimes a gesture is enough to make me feel at Home.

10 comments:

Initiative Stain said...

Namaste Rashmi.....as the gesture indeed what creates a connect within a value of sorts. Namaste is much like a handshake yet so much more.

Mindsnomad Yay said...

Namaste Jack.. Yes its much more than a handshake though there is a physical distance :)

Initiative Stain said...

I know I am very familiar with it with a some friends here. Good to see you.

tracy marshall said...

how beautiful :)

jo la ranita said...

how nice...it reminded me of an Indian friend i met in a bar in Mexico,lets say...20 years ago, I said hola cause I was sure he was Mexican...namaste...

Leveret 333 said...

Namaste ..

Mindsnomad Yay said...

Namaste Jackie :). and Tracy :).

Mindsnomad Yay said...

Namaste too Josie :)

Jo B said...

Beautiful words, Rashmi. The effort in and of itself, the good intention, is often enough, eh?
I can say Howdy a heap better with my southern twang than I can say Namaste, so I say both to you ;).

Mindsnomad Yay said...

:) Jo, and I humbly accept the twanged Howdy and the Namaste :).