iLiza's eyes

On a Sunday evening in late May, she is more relaxed than she has been in weeks. Muscles and hands are warm from her recent work-out, belly is swollen with a healthy, homemade dinner, and the sound of sizzling butter cackles under the rich swell of classical piano that tenderly overwhelms the small space. The voices of loved ones that drone in the corners, the feeling that we are all looming on the edge of possibility, and if only we had the courage to jump...

Her friend calls this new phase comfortable, sings her praises at her new peace of mind, her relaxation of the soul. She does not know what she did-- maybe she just learned to love herself a little bit more. Maybe it was a gift from God, a message in the form of beautiful compliments and a mirror image of her own advice. Perhaps she was just ready to open her eyes.

The smell of dried sweat, the tinkle of bells, the human munching--sweet, silent, content.

And then a voice that shatters the soft lull, and she smiles.

posted by iliza @ 8:53 PM