SPIT FACED
The man spit in my face. Directly in my face. I forgot till another man, a co-worker, brought in his extending bobby stick. He said he only uses it if he has to. That someone spit in his face after offering him directions in Rome when he refused to pay a tip.
My co-worker recounted he wiped the spit off right away. When he said this, I realized I may have forgotten to wipe the spit off my own face. I was in shock, at the moment of the incident, and really in a general state of shock, and didn’t remember to tell anyone for three weeks.
I walked on the street. When I see people in pain, I try to send them love- keep walking- send them an innocent glance- and in every capacity treat them as equal. Perhaps this man sensed this energy- the focus on him - or dismissal of him in my attempt to keep walking normally. We both briskly walked down the sidewalk- and with sudden velocity, he swerved- walking faster towards me as if jousting duel. Upon approach, he plunged his face in mine and spit as hard as he could. I felt his despair and anger with acute understanding. It stunned me. I took it in. I was in shock and repulsed. At the same time accepting the transgression.
Before this incident, I had met a lawyer who asked about my journal- “is that a bullet journal?” A bullet journal is where you list things to stay organized. To keep it together. I ordered extra whipped cream at that coffee shop. Please, coffee shop, where Mac Demarco held the door open for me one summer with a pleasant nod, put a dab of whipped cream on top of my iced coffee, and I made the journal myself sir. I left, was spit on, and headed to another meeting.
Andy told me earlier that week “that’s good” when I said I was too sensitive. He is a performer and taught clowning over the summer. An art form of pure emotion. Too much emotion so people hate clowns. People also hate homeless people or at least avoid them. I am going with it. With what Andy said. I am highly sensitive and that’s ok. Let’s hope I don’t forget that lesson too, or to wipe the spit off my face. Or to go to clown school.