Wednesday 1 February 2012

Tale of a Tricycle


Society isn't built around odd numbers.  You find the pairs.  And cast the lone left over into the lost sock pile.  If you're single, you know what I mean.  If you're not, you've probably forgotten.  I know I had...

But seriously...  Look at restaurant tables.  When did you find a table set for three?  Tables are square.  One person is sitting alone, with an empty place setting beside them.  Even round tables have the chairs placed directly across from one another, so the third person is staring at the wall.  Or the table of two directly across from them.  Why aren't tables triangular?  Or heptagonal?  With one chair on each side so everyone is sitting alone?

Even conversation is really built for just two people.  Eyes can't focus in two different directions at the same time.  Even in a group of people, you're only ever really talking - making eye contact with and directly engaging - to one.

The tricycle says it all.  Two wheels side by side, running in tandem.  One wheel stuck out on its own, all alone.  Children aspire to graduate from the tricycle to the bicycle... seldom do they remain in three, or attempt to ride a unicycle.

I'm used to being coupled.  Having someone beside me, across from me.  Even when its not at all intended, or probably not even the case, I feel out of place.  Isolated.  Different.  Alone.

Much like that extra wheel.....

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