I walked into the pub and said a loud "hi" to everyone.
The barman said "Hey, come on over here and join us".
I held up both my hands as if blocking his invitation.
"No thank you bartender. I want to be alone tonight. Send me a beer over to the table in the far corner, will you?"
I went and sat down and stared at the table top as if it had become the most fascinating object in any new or old world. I knew that there were numerous beer mug rings but I didn't see them. My thoughts were elsewhere.
When I heard the "here's your beer" I looked up and found myself staring into the eyes of an older man. He looked foreign but in a very handsome way. He had two mugs in his hand, his smile was kind, not over friendly and not intrusive. He asked me if he may sit down.
I replied "sure. Why not?"
After we had sat silently sipped our beers for a while and we had exchanged names, he looked at me with a hint of a smile. "What colour do you think love is?"
Although I looked up in surprise, my basic reaction was not that his question was off beat. In fact, it seemed to fit my mood.
"What do I think? What a question so out of the blue, Frank. Let me see. Hmmm, I think that love is like an ocean wave. I mean, kind of turquoise and blue. With some ultramarine and specks of gold. Depending on the light and angle of the sun."
He nodded slowly while he said "and what do her eyes look like?"
We each took another swallow before I answered.
"Oh, her eyes? They sparkle with a life's vitality and sublime joy. When I look into them everything changes. I begin to see depths, You know, I think that, at times, I can see her soul and I rejoice in what I see there."
"I think that I know what you mean, Kel. Go on."
"Then it all changes and I think that I'm seeing into my own soul, at the same time. I begin to feel a happiness as I look on and see how her soul and my soul rejoice, as I see them share a thousand thoughts and emotions."
The old man stared at the table and held his glass towards me.
"A toast to you, fellow traveller. I think that I'm able to understand everyone of your words. Let's drink to that and then I have another question for you."
I nodded my head. I'd begun to like this strange uninvited guest.
"What do you think about, when you see her lips?"
"Oh, her lips. From them, I hear sweet sounds flow in songs and poetry. Sometimes there are those words that only she can utter. Words that make me laugh and words that remind of the fun of riding a horse or stealing fruit from an orchard.
Then when her lips are silent, and I see them take up different shapes, curved up or curved down or even with the slightest of pouts, a part of me wishes to embrace her."
He held his hands out to me. It was an appeal to me. "Why don't you tell her this?"
"No, Frank, that I can't do. Some things are possible. Some are not."
"But surely you should tell her how you feel."
"Frank, you've been my friend tonight just when I needed to talk to someone. So I think that I can tell you this. She's from another world. She's lost to me. Our paths may never cross. How can East meet West? Drink with me, and then let's go our separate ways. Drink with me and I'll thank you for an interesting conversation."
"Yes, Kel, I'll drink with you but first I have to call someone."
He took a mobile from his pocket and dialled a number. After only a minute, his call was answered.
"Hello my angel. I'm well. I'm at the Blue Dolphin. With a friend. You'll know soon enough. First, I've want to ask you a question. It may be way way out but you know me and my strange ways. Yes, and I know you and your strange ways, too. Haha. Well, the question is this. What colour, do you think love is?"
Immediately after he had spoken, he handed the phone over to me without any hesitation.
As I listened, I heard the sound of the most beautiful voice that I had ever heard.
"Oh Papa. You are so funny. It's so easy to answer. Love is kind of turquoise and blue. With some ultramarine..."
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Comments: 13
Ten perfect stars the colour of LOVE!
Blessings ~
Rene
I love how Kel describes the colour of love... like an ocean wave. It is such a perfect metaphor Fred. Sometimes love washes over us just like an ocean wave it can be gentle and rythmic as the tides ebb and flow on a lazy summer day... Or... it can come crashing down on us like the waves of a hurricane.
I could visualize everything... the bar with a sign that has a blue dolphin painted on it. I could see the table worn from many years and many beers. I could see the faces of the two men who by fate... coincidence... find themselves lamenting the possibilities (or lack thereof) of love.
Have a great day
Kristina
Perfect, not to be improved upon.
Like the rest of the story.
Thank you Fred!
Hugs and blessings in a plenty - S.