Opera - Viena - Austria - May 2023 

 The Eyes of the Marble Lady, 

At the bus stop, people waited. 

Leaves swirled in the air. 

Yellow petals rained from the trees. 

Warm days… Shiny days… Rainy days…

Seated on the stone bench,  waiting for the morning bus,

The elegant lady resembled a marble statue. 

Her face was flawlessly beautiful.

Like those depicted in art books.

With my nun school uniform and school bag in hand, 

I too awaited the bus, 

A curious kid stealing glances... 

The Marble Lady's beauty radiated around hollow eyes. 

I remember smiling at her, her lips reciprocating. 

Not her eyes… no! 

No! Never her eyes.

There was a sadness in them.

Like two beautiful lakes on a cloudy day. 

Carved on stone, silent...staring... so much sorrow.

I recall feeling a pang of sadness for her.

Sometimes, an urge to hug her, 

The lady  seemed to care for me,

A connection I couldn't explain.

Occasionally, I managed to sit beside her.

We never exchange words. 

One day, she did not show up at the bus stop. 

One week…One month. 

The years passed…

I grew up...

I matured into an adult woman.

A married lady with kids.

One day, I joined a Facebook group.

Browsing through  photos,

My eyes froze...

There she was! The marble lady! 

The same beautiful lady from long ago.

Now, in her golden age, still glowing.

I couldn't believe it was her! 

The marble lady emerged smiling! 

She had a name!.

I smiled looking at her photos.

Her eyes are no longer hollow.

No more the marble lady. 

What caused the sorrowful eyes of long ago?

I will never know. 

Now, her eyes smile,

And my eyes smile too.

Gina Sousa - Oakville - 2009 

VS

Smile