Magica in the Mundane
Allison Elizabeth
Dear JELLiverse,
Life is full of magical moments. The natural trinkets of the world. Those who can take the time to place these moments on a shelf are the ones who will appreciate them most. When your shoes become heavier, or your hair too dry; freeze, reach into your pockets, rub the pixie dust between your fingers and sprinkle it around your mother’s ashes in her favorite experimental theater. There is power in how we interpret the world, why not make it one where you’re a magical girl?
Graphic by Naliyah Grant
What I have found in my pockets:
On my way to work I take one bus west and another bus north. To get back home I could retrace my path, but I missed the bus that takes me back the way I came. So instead I go even further north, then south and west at the same time (the magic of a train!), and finish by route down by walking the road to my home. Clockwise ending at 6:00 AM. As a morning person, I am happy.
I ran into my old crush I haven’t thought about in months. He noticed me first, and called my name, but I had my headphones on so I didn’t hear him. But he kept saying my name until, finally, I realized he was there! He grew his hair out (last time I saw him he was bald). It looked really nice. He gave me a hug and I relished in how jealous it would make all of my friends who also have a crush on him.
I walked along the intersection of the road and the river. The grass bent up and over the metal fence defying their manmade section. I did not and will not cut or trim or sheer anything. I have no desire to see less grass. If everyone who passes through this area is like me, after an undetermined amount of time there will be no separation at all. Soon all the ground will be covered in grass, and just as my American Girl Doll sleeps on my bed for lack of shelf space, we all can sleep with the grass.
The first full week of May is meant to honor our teachers. The ones who clean our vomit from our shoes after a bad persimmon. The ones who teach us which hand is for the minutes and which is to high five. The ones who tell you that you are well spoken, and give you the confidence to put it on paper. The ones who will grab coffee with you after the final bell has rung. When I am given the chance to appreciate the people who have taught me how to be, I find justice in the world. Those who give should also receive.
I realized I know a place where I can get pizza for $2, another place where I can get better pizza for $5, and ANOTHER place where I can get TWO slices of pizza and a beer for $10. And WOW! That’s amazing! I will not go hungry.
While I was waiting for the bus I realized I could walk to my destination in the same amount of time I would have been waiting for the bus, and it’s one of the first days of warmth after the winter with clusters of Korean lavender on every corner that I am able to identify because I am friends with a florist who also happens to be a clown. Each time I encounter them is full of curiosity, so I stop to inhale (1, 2, 3), and exhale (1, 2, 3).
What have you found in yours?
Comment Below.
Xoxo,
Alli
