The last child began to walk on the river
Clashing torrents only moments before
Sharp sapphire waves exploding to mist
Now calm, clear, a deep blue under him
Small stepping stones lay before him in all directions
Paths of Life
Each stone was a thought in his mind
Ten thousand possibilities crossed his mind at once
And then were suddenly forgotten
He stared into the sky
Inhaled a deep breath
And took a step forward
—————
early draft: 2005.09.06
The following is a humorous story (depending on your point of view) of something that actually happened to me. Despite it’s slightly embarrassing nature, it is a story that I’m brave enough to retell for the laughter of others.
———
Son of a soapsud!
There is a clear and present difference between “Body Wash” and “moisturizer”, so why don’t the manufacturers make a clear differentiation between the packaging? Today I put on body wash thinking it was lotion. Yes, you read that right. Of course someone had put the body wash next to all of the lotions, and I was immediately struck by how sticky this new lotion was. I went back to examine the bottle, and lo, the bottle said, in very small letters, “Body Wash.”
To be fair, there was another bottle, standing but 5 feet away on the window sill, that was 95% identical to this one with a single word difference: it read “moisturizer” instead of “body wash.” I was surprised to say the least and began rinsing off my hands and arms.
This experience reminded of a life lesson that we, as fallible humans, have to repeat from time to time: pay attention to details, especially in matters of hygiene. I’m certainly glad I don’t work at a hospital, because one can’t afford to make that kind of mistake when death is on the line. (Not to mention other classic blunders.)
Yet there was a silver lining. After I rinsed the body wash off, my hands and arms felt… great, and I didn’t even have a desire for the lotion anymore. Call it a happy accident, but that mistake actually turned out alright. Still, that’s the last time I use body wash outside of the shower.
Or is it? 
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