escalator

HUMP Day Haiku

My daughter and I enjoyed a day together at the Northwest Flower

and Garden Show in Seattle last week. Held in the Convention Center,

there are at least three floors of escalators that take you up to the Show

level. Being the country bumpkin that I am, I was unaware that such a thing

as “escalator etiquette” exists. I’m very cautious when I “board” and “exit” one,

hanging onto the railing and never moving from my boarding spot. After

viewing the display gardens, we boarded the escalator to go down to Moby’s

for lunch. Katy was on the right; I got on a step or two behind her, clinging to

the left. A woman approached from behind and asked if we would move so

she could get by. I gave her request a nano-second’s thought and,

standing firmly in my spot, answered “no.”  As she squeezed between us

I mumbled something about being an old lady, unsteady on my feet, etc.

When she got off at the bottom, she turned to us as if she wanted to

make a stink. Katy said, “Don’t even start.”  The woman turned away,

took a step or two, then faced us again. Pointing her finger, Katy said,

“No! I said Don’t. Even. Start.” The woman turned away, flipped us off

and strode down the remaining flights of escalators. Lessons learned:

1) keep to the right so walkers can pass on the left 

2) my daughter is all the protection I need in the big city!

escalator ride

proved dangerous for me

daughter protected

 



scarlet maple

HUMP Day Haiku

Late October 2011, I visited my aunt at her assisted living facility.

Her memory had been slipping, but she knew me and was very aware

of her surroundings. Across from the assisted living, at the entry

of the companion skilled nursing facility, grew a single maple.

It was in its full fall glory and she exclaimed several times

during my visit how beautiful it was.

In her memory, I share that tree and this haiku.

across the driveway

autumn tree clothed in scarlet

“look, how beautiful!”

In memory of Shirley Henry Dunn

10/8/1925 to 2/18/2013