A long time ago, I sang a song called “Hello In There”, written by John Prine.  John was such a poet … and felt into the lives of the people he met.  Here’s an example:

You know that old trees just grow stronger
And old rivers grow wilder every day
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say, “Hello in there, hello”

So if you’re walking down the street sometime
And spot some hollow ancient eyes
Please don’t just pass ’em by and stare
As if you didn’t care, say “Hello in there, hello”

This is one of the sixty songs that I will memorize or re-memorize … and then sing to people.

***

I was walking home this afternoon after an elliptical session at the gym. Across from my apartment building, I glanced left down the side street. And there sat Lieven. I waved. I could have turned towards my doorway but my feet took me to the chair beside him.

We smiled and then began talking in English, which for him is a challenge. I was happy to be there. It didn’t matter what we talked about.

Turns out our conversation ranged from unpasteurized milk to the great coffee at the nearby Patershol community centre to my workout to Lieven’s son working at a gym. Nothing special but we were together, giving each other the gift of our attention.

We said goodbye. Only back in the apartment did I think of John’s song. I went to my guest bedroom window and took a picture of Lieven, still sitting there.

It was good to be with him