An obsessive dialogue in line at Publix

I keep having these moments where I sort of slide across timelines and suddenly could swear that I’m driving through Tel Aviv (see the woman wearing a burka, and the man with dark skin wearing sandals on a motorized scooter?), or running at a gym in Tel Aviv (so many Israeli look-alikes here, with their beach tans and gold Stars of David…), or just blasting ECHO in my car at the beach parking lot, doing my makeup after a swim and dressing the very same way that I would in Tel Aviv; the city of trees and bats.

I wondered how long it would take me before I got back onto the topic of Tel Aviv--one of my favorite obsessions…But that’s something I’ve learned about manifestation. You gotta be a bit obsessed.

Nothing was more apparent than this fact as I bagged up my groceries at Publix this evening. 

The older cashier looked at me for a moment, then said, “That has got to be the most unique thing I’ve ever seen on a t-shirt.”

I had just come from the gym and was wearing my favorite “I LOVE WRITING” t-shirt, salvaged from my favorite secret thrift spot back home and cut to look like a muscle tee. I thanked him, exuberantly.

The ensuing conversation revealed our shared obsession:

Bruce: Do you write?

Me: Yes!

Bruce: So do I. Do you write poems?

Me: Yes!

Bruce: Essays?

Me: Yes!

Bruce: Short stories?

Me: Yes!!

Bruce: You write everything.

Me: Everything.

Bruce: So do I. I’m in the middle of writing a novel right now—

Me: That’s amazing!

Bruce:—and it’s so hard.

Me: Yep.

Bruce: With poetry, it’s easier. The entire poem can probably fit on one page, maybe just a few lines even. But a novel?? Whole different ballgame.

Me: Yeah, you gotta be able to see the long and the short of it, all at once.

Bruce: Exactly!

Me: [smiles]

Bruce: Are you musical?

Me: Sadly, no.

Bruce: There’s a musical quality to writing that I think translates to a lot of writers also being musicians.

Me: That’s very interesting. I did study dance as a kid. Rhythm plays a big part in my writing.

Bruce: Yeah, like a poem is very much like a musical composition. You gotta get the timing right.

Me: Yes! And when I write dialogue, it’s all rhythm.

Bruce: I could talk about writing like this all day.

Me: So could I.

Customer behind me: [Pretends not to be in a hurry.]

Bruce: I’m Bruce.

Me: Natalie

I started a new list today of the names of people to whom I want to gift a copy of my poetry book. The 80-something year-old lady from yesterday (Carol), who spoke to us about the meaning of life.

And Bruce.

Own your obsessions. Claim them! Stake your flag upon the surface of these far flung yet intimately familiar planets. Speak of what strikes your passion into frenzy. Speak of it often! Sing your obsessions like a song that you just can’t get our of your head, but why would you want to because it’s the best song you’ve ever heard…

This is how you start to move the mountain.

This is how your people know where to find you.