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"This is a picture I did not take...."
I was inspired by
Ashley
who was inspired by
UNphotographable.
I love words, and therefore I will use words to
'paint a picture' of how I've grown to love and adore my fantastic partner Robin who is indeed my sunshine, my
only sunshine....
Chain Letter Bamboo:
This is a picture I did not take of Robin as he opens the door to his
condo on our second date, looking freshly laundered and all cinnamon
smiles and shower-wet hair. And as I hand him the lucky bamboo in the
small, ceramic pot and jokingly tell him it's for good luck but if he
lets it die he'll have 7 years of bad luck, his expression changes to
mock seriousness and he answers, "Wow, it's like a freaking chain
letter...."
Grandma's Shopping Cart:
This is a picture I did not take of Mark and I doubled over in laughter,
as Robin stands with one hand on his hip in a posture of feigned
exasperation. The car trunk is open and reveals to us a red, wire
2-wheeled 'granny' cart that Robin has just admitted that he uses for
grocery shopping. He is smiling as he tries to defend his food
transporter device. But his words fall on deaf ears as Mark and I
are holding our stomachs and we cry because we are laughing so hard, and
I realize that we all share a similar sense of humour.
Sunday Morning Siren:
This is a picture I did not take of us in Robin's bedroom of his condo,
as I am lolling in the bed naked under the covers with a coy smile and
messy-morning-after hair, and Robin is standing beside the bed hiding
his nakedness with a towel and trying to put on his underwear. The
mid-morning sun pours through the open windows and highlights our
discarded clothes which lay in all corners of the white room. Robin
points a finger at me, his voice is raised in emphasis as he explains
that he needs to get his day started and therefore denies my attempt to
get him back into bed for a third session this Sunday morning: "You're
like a siren, luring me back into the bed!" I roll over still smiling,
and I know that despite his refusal of my seduction efforts he is
enjoying his new girlfriend immensely.
Birthday Surprise:
This is a picture I did not take of myself in my apartment, my mouth
open in authentic shock and my eyes darting around the room as I try to
comprehend the overwhelming news about my birthday present from Robin
and my friends. Gone is my old, 19" TV and in its place in the corner
entertainment unit is a new, 24" flatscreen Sony Wega. Robin stands
before me, arms open, telling me, "Happy Birthday, sweetie! You deserve
it!" and Brent and Mark stand smiling in the background.
Sunshine Coast Breakfast:
This is a picture I did not take of Robin seated at an outdoor patio
table while he quietly enjoys a newspaper and a fresh coffee. The glassy
ocean at Sechelt and the orange morning sun provide a mural background.
He is startled as I approach him, but his surprise quickly turns to a
smile and I see him mouth the words "Hi baby" as a large RV drives past
us and drowns out all sounds.
The Void Left Behind:
This is a picture I did not take of my now empty-feeling apartment as I
survey it from the hallway, doorknob still in my right hand and my work
bag slung heavily over my shoulder. Gone is Robin's dresser and all
other evidence of his temporary stay on Cambie Street. My place looks
just like it did 3 months ago before he moved in, but it no longer feels
like home with Robin no longer in it.
A
Mother's Love:
This is a picture I did not take of my mother as she leans towards me
from across the restaurant lunch table, which is covered with remnants
of our beef dip and clubhouse sandwiches. I notice that her usual
twinkle in her eye seems more like a sparkle today as she tells me, "I
love Robin, you know - I think he's just great," then she leans back
into her chair, her hands comfortably resting on her lap and her face a
portrait of contentment.
Christmas Together:
This is a picture I did not take of us at the house on a Christmas
morning, before I became a permanent resident at Sperling Avenue.
The air is cold outside but there is a crackling log on the fire, and we
are surrounded by shards of torn wrapping paper and untied ribbons. I'm
modeling the new underwear that I have just received as Robin sits
smiling on the couch. Then we decide that we would much rather continue
this lingerie show in bed, so we run laughing from the living room into
the bedroom.
The Water Will Carry Us:
This is a picture I did not take of Robin as he body surfs the
white-capped waves in the Dominican Republic while I stand under a
palapa on the beach. I see his smiling face and tanned body rise above
the crests then disappear, and he's waving at me to join him in the
roaring surf. I decide to throw caution to the howling winds, and run
from my shelter towards the waiting arms in the ocean because I know if
I'm with Robin no harm will come to me.
How Could I Love You More:
This is a picture I did not take of us lying naked in our bed,
embracing, with the powder blue sheets flung carelessly around our
joined hips. I playfully pose the question, "How could you possibly love
me more?" and the answer whispered warmly yet confidently in my ear: "If
you became the mother of my children". And I am speechless as my
expression is hidden by the dark - my elation can not possibly be
communicated through pictures nor through words....
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