WILD RAVAGED BEAST

There was a time when I had reasonable exchanges with others.  I can't think of one just now, but I know they occurred.  I miss those days of thinking the best of people, acting with grace and joy, and having those components of fulfillment returned to me.  Where did the days go where manners, courtesy, patience and compassion, however fleeting, ran rampant in the streets instead of screaming, swearing cunts who spew misery like infectious disease; incurable and sour.  I love to bike.  I go everywhere.  If you have read previous posts, you'll know my disdain however, for underpasses.  The roads are rarely safe for us lone two wheelers and underpasses are murder death kill.  I avoid them and on this particular balmy September afternoon was to be no different.  I should have risked death over my next experience.  I come upon this woman on the sidewalk, overweight, smelling of whatever dull job she suffers through, sauntering right dab in the center.  Me, being the courteous and self aware individual I have become, slowed down, climbed the grassy knoll parallel to the walking whale(I take that back, whales are far more peaceful.), and calmly announced that she was in the middle of the sidewalk...perhaps she had forgotten she lived in a city with a cool million.  Her response was of course sheepish apology, a smile, slight wave and grateful acknowledgement of her oversight.  That, in a reasonable world is what should have happened.  Like a wild, ravaged beast, this woman pawed the ground with her massive cracked and feces laden hoof, snarled and snorted all the air from her heaving, sweaty chest and spit the words "FUCK YOU" into my unsuspecting face.  Slowly rolling past, hardly phased for I expect awful behavior from all adults at all times, I proceeded to flip her off as the beast reared her giant greasy head in a continued rant soaked in cuss words and stinking saliva.  I forget sometimes that other people are around when deep in thought.  Therefore I keep to the right to allow others(even dreaded cyclists) to pass unimpeded.  Courtesy, thoughtfulness, nonexistent.  I wasn't rude, but man did she go there.  For some time too, screaming nonsense at me as I sped away.  Then I spent the next twenty minutes seething about what I should have said/done and my glorious fresh air bike ride was hindered briefly.  Briefly is too much time wasted on such an individual.  I seemingly ruined her day and her mine.  Why did I let it?  Well, it saddens me the state of things, especially in a city.  I miss the days of others always giving one the right of way.  Days of smiles and hellos when one passes by.  I do not miss honking out of impatience, angry retorts when clearly not provoked, degrees of emotion consisting only of anger, angrier and blame.  We blame one another for everything all of the time.  Won't someone take responsibility for being a fucking prick, apologize and get over it?  Nope.  We honk back, screaming at our passengers how idiotic the other guy is and hold on to hatred and fault for a lifetime.  I'm going to be a puppy when I grow up.  They only know hunger, smell, poop, and love.  Dogs love everything, everyone.  Bounding and frolicking about in a grassy place with their dutiful owners keeping an eye  Diligently unaware, blissful with the sensory world and...SQUIRREL!!!