A Reflective Moment Poem by Thomas King

Today I looked at a face and was confused, the face looked very familiar to me but I could not place it. As I gazed into the eyes I was suddenly drawn in by their softness and understanding and by the passion for life they held within.
I noticed a hint of a smile on the lips as the other gazed back at me, the kind of smile one gives to a child to reflect understanding and love. The cheeks and forehead were creased with lines to indicate a hard life's journey but also the knowledge and wisdom it gained from the long roads traveled.

As I reached to touch the face I noticed it reaching for me as well, I realized this and suddenly drew back my hand. As I did so I must have startled the other as it drew back its hand as well. I opened my mouth to apologize and at the same time the other must have been thinking the same, we then cocked our heads and looked at one another with bewilderment and surprise as to our seemingly timed movements, not understanding the reason for this but knowing there was a connection between us that was far beyond our comprehension.

At that moment I decided it was time to disengage my stare as not to be disrespectful. As I turned to leave I looked back over my shoulder and noticed the other had again done the same, so we raised our hands and waved our goodbyes but knowing in some strange way we would always share a connection and would see each other very soon in the same place.So as I turned off the light and closed the bathroom door behind me I was suddenly struck with an overwhelming feeling of calm knowing the face had recognized me…