Exposed in the autumn

A riff on curiosity and exposure

Exposed in the autumn

The glory days of autumn here in Nova Scotia are fading quickly. The trees are beginning to become bare.

Behind them, the scrubby undersides of the forest floors are becoming revealed. Carpeted with what once were the drapes.

Walking home from work, I encounter people, many of whom say hello or nod acknowledgement. Some even seek longer contact with comments about the weather and the time of year. 

On a warm autumn evening these encounters are pleasantly awkward.

The daylight is ending more quickly these days. 

On these walks home I notice homes with their blinds open and their lights on. 

I’m a bit of a moth. My eyes are attracted to these lit spaces.

I’m naturally curious. I want to see what the inside of someone else's' home looks like - whether I’m invited or not.

So what do I do?

I do what’s natural. I gawk. I peer. My gaze invades the personal space of these poor foolhardy souls who have yet to draw their blinds.

Do they have cool art?

What’s their sofa look like?

That’…