Opus 2011-303, On the Street: Voyeurs of the Imagination

Friday I was again sitting in a restaurant doing my morning worship and some writing.  I again did a little people watching.  I was again struck by how many people seem to have “fun house” mirrors at home.  You know those mirrors that are distorted to make you look short or fat.  I have seen mirrors that make it look like ghosts are sitting with you.  This must be what people are seeing when they get dressed in the morning.

When I was a kid I used to imagine I was Zorro or Roy Rogers.  I might have even had a few moments when I would flex in front of a mirror.  I could dream but I did not lose touch with reality.  I saw a child walking down the street the other day wearing a pair of those glasses with a nose and mustache attached.  She was a kid and it was close to Halloween.  I understood.  It would not be the same if I wore it to church on Sunday.

I am careful what I wear when I go out of the house.  It is not vanity, it is mercy.  I really don’t think people want to see what I look like in shorts and an old shirt.  I am used to it, so I can comb my hair without even noticing but flab and sag is not a pleasant sight. 

I wish others would have that consideration.  I don’t need to see the new shape that your tattoo has taken as your skin has adapted to the extra weight under it.  I don’t need to observe your experiments in how much stretch there is in a one-size-fits-all t-shirt.  I really don’t care how many rings you can hang in your nose.

How about a little consideration here.

We all need to go out once in awhile.  We need to buy food and water the lawn.  I understand.  I also have those moments.  I try to not make you want to look the other way.  Please return the favor.  Long pants are good.  Loose tops are nice.  Modesty is a plus.  I am not expecting you to lose weight or have plastic surgery.  I am not exactly a work of art myself but let’s all do the best we can with what we have.

homo unius libri