That Odd Kiss

That Odd Kiss by Don Ford

I enjoy being known as a storyteller. Folks who listen to me know I am sincere. Some even take me too seriously, when I share fiction pieces. I will go so far as to tell my audience that the fiction tale I’m about to share is totally made up; not one word of it is true. After the reading, some will invariably ask if my story really happened.

On the other hand, when I go into a true story, most find it too unbelievable. I couldn't believe what was happening to me at the time, either.

In one retirement home several of the ladies asked me in the beginning if my poetry rhymed or made any sense. I think this was the case, since ‘anything goes’ has crept into our poetry and prose.

Some of us Poets enjoy our own pieces too much without regard to our listeners at times; we won’t stoop to the level of most our listeners.

When we are entertaining a group of other writer/poets, we can invent words if we care to, but the majority of listeners like common terms of speech they can relate to. Collegiate reviews look for the more sophisticated pieces coming out of academia. As writers we need to understand our audiences and write directly to their intellect.

I stretch myself and my writing, when I try different forms of poetry. I enjoy all of the variations, but even some of these can cause the casual listener to turn a deaf ear to our rhetoric. What for us was a joy to pen and read, may not be enjoyed by the majority of listeners who may have no clue where we were going with our ‘stunningly crafted’ piece.

I know I have a near Masterpiece when I get them laughing and clapping. Of course at the end of a a storytelling session, they also clap. I’m sure it is because I’m done droning away and finally headed out the door. LOL

I recall one such visit and folks were personally thanking me for coming. One gal called me over. “Can I shake your hand?” When I got close enough, and extended my right arm, she quickly pulled me to her and kissed my cheek. She was a grandmotherly type and I was okay with it.

I am passionate about my storytelling. Some of them come out of a difficult experience. and so the pain and discomfort is felt in the writing as well. Once I was sharing true stories with a friend and his wife. My wife was there as well.

We were enjoying a nice lunch together with them at a local restaurant. I knew everyone in this place. My wife claims I know everyone in town. She was right, but this day I wish they didn’t all know or remember me.

After sharing a few more true stories, my buddy got up out of his seat and came over and laid a big smacker on my cheek. “Thank you for sharing that.”

I told myself, ‘He’s Jewish; it’s their custom’. At the same time I tried not to make much eye contact with other friends I knew in the restaurant. Shortly afterwards we said our goodbyes as my wife and I quietly left this establishment.

Nothing much was said that day, but I was a bit surprised by this episode in my life. Something I shared obviously hit a nerve or a heart string, but I still wanted ti shout, “We were old Army buddies, and I saved his life.” If only that were the case, but it wasn’t.

I have said before that I want my stories to move people, to interrupt the quiet world they spend most of their time in. Sometimes I want to scream, “Wake up to life.” So many go through their days with little happening. Life should have purpose and we should all swim in it, and at times venture into the deeper waters.

I personally enjoy being entertained by a good story. “What About Bob” is one such favorite tale for me. At times during this movie, I laughed so hard I nearly cried. “Life is too short to take seriously.” D.G. Ford So I am a humorist too.

Speaking of kisses, there were a couple of times when I nearly received the ‘kiss of death’, but managed to sidestep it both times. See "Death & Taxes"  http://tinyurl.com/8cfhalz

Famous Kisses in history:

The Kiss Hello
The Kiss Goodbye
Kiss of death

Kiss of betrayal and deception
Kiss of friendship, loyalty, and honor Kiss of passion and love
Kissing the ground
First Kiss
Last but never the least, the Hershey Kiss (And many more I’m sure)