Sunday, September 30, 2012

Serpents or Sunflowers?

We just returned from Moab, UT. Of all the photos I took of Arches National Park and the red rock desert landscape, the photos I'm sharing could be from anywhere. However, when I see them, I'm reminded of a story I want to share with you:

One afternoon, I left the heat of the Mill Creek Trail, a paved pedestrian path running through Moab, and instead began following a narrow, sandy trail through a dry scrub woods. I walked slowly holding my camera still as I maneuvered to squeeze through openings where bushes and tall grasses infringed. Suddenly, rounding a bend, I came upon 2 homeless men sitting under a tree. The bearded one, sitting like a Yogi, began quoting scripture. I stopped to give him my attention. He spoke of calm and cunning and finally warned me of  "serpents." I felt a chill as I wondered whether he was talking literally or metaphorically. He pointed toward the high, swaying grasses fringing the path, and as I waved goodbye, he murmured, "Unsafe."  I continued on my way, now watching the ground more carefully in case a snake lay coiled, waiting for me. Paths began forking off from the one I was following until I began to lose my sense of direction. I smelled the next homeless camp before I saw it, the sour scent of sweat mixing with the sweet smoke of marijuana. Five men huddled on their haunches, passing a bottle and a joint as I approached. "Hello, " I greeted them, looking each one in the eyes. To a man, they stood immediately and mumbled polite greetings. I wondered if these men were the "serpents" in the first man's prophesy. But, they were solicitous - perhaps I reminded them of another woman - a mother or grandmother, a sister, wife, or friend who had once loved them. Several spoke a quiet warning, "No place for a lady..." "You could come upon danger." (Though no mention of serpents, thank goodness.) I asked them to point me in the direction of safety, and they did. In a short while I left the enclosure of the dim woods. 

The first thing I saw when I emerged onto the paved trail once again were sunflowers blooming in bright profusion at the edge of a gritty, graffitied bridge underpass. For some reason,  my mother came into my mind and the homeless men who knocked on our back door when I was a child. They were called "hobos" back then. She would leave them waiting on the porch while she made a baloney sandwich on buttered white bread, cut a slab of cake or pie, and poured strong black coffee into an old chipped mug. They always thanked her as they sat on the steps to eat. I was afraid of those men, though my mother never spoke of them as dangerous. This day, in Moab, UT, 60+ years after my mother's matter of fact charity,  perhaps I reaped her good karma. 


I encountered sunflowers on this day.


I saw no serpents.

20 comments:

  1. I'm glad these men recognized you as a good person and did you no harm. Beware of serpents could have meant anything I guess.

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  2. oh, barb. i was holding my breath. i hate that we have to be so wary and doubting of people's kindness these days. i am very grateful you received nothing but...

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  3. You found no serpents. What a wonderful way to walk through the world. I am deeply touched by this short, complete story. I sense that there would have been a protector if you had been in peril. Thank you.

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  4. Wow..Barb,
    They were not violent people but if I were you....? I have no idea .. scary.
    Your mother's story deeply touches my heart.

    Glad to see that many seeds are growing in your withered sunflowers!
    Have a good day.

    Tomoko

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  5. Wow, that is quite a story. I used to live in Price, not too far from Moab, I would think Moab would be slim pickings for homeless people.

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  6. Beautiful pictures and quite a story! The homeless are people too and I really hate it when people ignore them. Even if I don't have any cash on me - this being a card-driven society - I still look them in the eye when I tell them I don't have change... Well done you.

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  7. Whoa! That was a scary tale and I'm glad these homeless men treated you with respect.

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  8. and I was looking for the serpents.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  9. What a story that is, and one I needed to read today. Thanks so much, Barb.

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  10. I'm so glad that you posted that story Barb. In some ways I knew in my heart that you would be fine. Ever mindful of your surroundings. I wonder if your mother may have passed that on to you? Either way it made for an interesting story and I'm glad you shared!
    Love Di ♥

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  11. Such a heart warming story of your mother. Your mother is such a good woman with a heart of gold. And you speak of Karma, I think you are correct.
    Loved reading about your experience Barb, have a fabulous week ahead :)

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  12. Ha, I like that idea that your mom's leftover good karma may have helped you out that day, very cool:)

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  13. I am glad that nothing untoward happened. I think the fact that you treated the men as people made them reciprocate. When we objectify people, it is easier for them to objectify us. How often do we look away from people like these men...

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  14. This is an amazing and thought-provoking story. I always want to think that if you treat people decently they will reciprocate....So I think that that the men treated you well because you honored them as fellow human beings and didn't look away or look down on them. So maybe a little bit of that and a little bit of the karma .... (But do be careful out there .... Bill always reminds me to be "street-smart" while believing in the basic decency of human nature. I guess you'd have to say "trail-smart" when you're out in the woods.)

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  15. Its always about the Golden Rule from Confucius' teachings that I learned in school and from my father.

    There are also times when I feel disoriented when hiking if I wander away from my group, and yes, I do not have, sometimes, a sense of direction.

    Be safe always Barb.

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  16. Wonderful story Barb. I read it with full attention, wondering where it would lead. I love that you were friendly with all the people you met. I felt that your eye contact and hello made them feel accepted or un-judged and you inspired the best in them. Thank you for sharing your experience.

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  17. That's a beautiful story Barb. I love the sunflowers, we have had a squirrell that has eaten out sunflowers down to the nub! Bob finally decided that he had had his fill after watching him gorge himself with his mouth so full Bob thought he was going to explode, but he kept coming back for more. So...sunflowers....gone...until next year I guess.

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  18. what a touching story. I'm pretty certain I would have been fearful, and turned back, but you continued on and for that you have my admiration. You not only inspired them, but you inspire me also. I'm happy you found the sunflower - the happiest of flowers. happy weekend to you Barb.

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  19. Barb- this a most intriguing and dream like story. You have captured the surreal and inexplicable way life comes upon us. You carried light and it was thankfully received without harm to you. I send blessings for you and the men you encountered. Thank you for sharing this story so well.

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Your comments are always one good thing for me!