walking

2003-03-25 - 7:16 p.m.

The women in Montreal walk differently than the women here.

Here, one arm clutches the purse against the body and the other arm swings ever so slightly, as if the hand were attached to the hip by a four-inch string, so it can't move too far forward, backward or sideways.

Here, the strides are quick, elegant, straight.

Here, the feet line up, not quite walking a tightwire.

Here, the eyes aim at the sidewalk about 10 feet ahead.

There, the arms swing wide and free, pumping to accelerate the motion.

There, the feet are planted solidly, hipwidth apart, with the stability of someone hiking through the woods rather than mere pavement.

There, the eyes aim forward, onward, seeking, confident, curious.

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Pretend it's 10th grade. Leave me a note.

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