Be as a beam of sunshine

Oh, to be a beam of sunshine warming many who rest beneath its gold. But these busy times, who stops to rest beneath a beam of sunshine? A squirrel? A squirrel might pause, briefly, only if no dogs are around. Yuppie, yappy, pouncing dogs on their PetCo extendo-leashes. Only if no cats are around, cats let out to roam by lonely women who joke with tangential male friends in baby-talk and desperate pleas to make the ride home last longer. “Can we stop at Burger King? Can we stop at Dairy Queen?” With cats of women like that out wandering, a squirrel has no time for sunbeams. A squirrel gets out, gets the nut, and gets back in.

The book on Emily’s table says, Imagine yourself as a beam of sunshine, warming those who need it. Imagine that your sunshine warms them with the things they need. People need shelter and love and delicious food and beautiful clothes. Animals need food and shelter and freedom from fear. Perhaps I warm the squirrel by not warming the squirrel.

Who else could rest beneath my sunbeam? The scoliosis guy in the bald head and black jeans? He walks hesitantly, glasses sweaty, replaying the conversation he would have had on the el he just got off of, had he only talked to the interesting and kind-looking girl or guy. Oh, he needs a beam of sunshine. But his black pleather leather jacket is too warm already. And of course he won’t take it off. Go home, poor moist man. Better luck tomorrow. To both of us.