Crossing Over

by Fatima Ray

At eighteen waiting for the light to turn green at the intersection in the big city thirty miles from home. Observing all the people waiting to cross with me, who could be anybody just like me, or I could be anybody just like them. Each of us stepping into the crosswalk simultaneously, with some sort of intention to get somewhere more important from where we’ve just been. Asking myself who the hell I am, this person dressed up heading to her first job interview. Noticing that I’m among all these strangers heading in the same direction, my heart begins pounding my breath coming in quick spurts. I remember to slow down, having accomplished crossing the street before the light turns red.

6S

Fatima Ray, now in her 70s, has just begun her exploration of writing due to a friend needing a ride to his poetry writing group.