The Poem
Have you ever been treated to a genuine act of kindness?
The bar I work at has regulars. One of them; Michael, comes in everyday, around 5 o'clock for a pint and to do the metro-crossword with me or the other Sam (when we're in). He is a vicar and he is openly gay.
One time Michael asked me and Sam (also gay) to go for a drink when I first started working there. After half an hour in his company I was so comfortable in his presence. You get the feeling you can tell him anything. Same with Sam - and that was when I told them that I was attracted to other men. In retrospect those two were the first people I ever came out to.
Surreal.
Anyway, since then I have spoken to him nearly every time I've had the dayshift. I discuss a lot of things, including my sexual status and issues and somehow it always makes me feel better. He's a brilliant listener and, though he says very little, he is always supportive. (I should probably note that I am certainly not attracted to Michael, he just a great friend.)
I remember a few days ago I was talking to him about stuff and I told him about my grandmother, from my Caribbean side. She was extremely catholic and I remember in her house there was a poster of a poem on the wall; about a man that dreamed he walked down a beach with God as scenes of his life flashed by. I really liked the poem and it is something I have always associated with her. Firstly because I haven't come across it again since she died in 1996 and secondly; I was young so it's hard to recollect much else about her...
He was looking at me strangely so I made a joke about how my Carribbean family all seemed to have the same tacky religious keepsakes in their houses (true) and the conversation moved on.
I came into work last night and Suzi - a girl from work - gave me a folded up piece of paper that had been left addressed to me
On the back it said:
'Sorry I couldn't get a poster sized one. - Michael'
and inside was a small, wallet sized, embossed card. On its front was a picture of a beach and on the reverse was the poem I had told him about...
I was speechless.
...
No-one has ever done something that thoughtful for me. Despite there is certainly nothing romantic between us, I can honestly say it was the most romantic thing anyone has done for me!
I keep it in my wallet and I don't think I will ever take it out.
It stands as a reminder that I am supported. And in a way valuable.
The timing couldn't be better...
Sam
19 January 2010 at 22:14
aaaaaw you're attracting the right people around you buddy!