The bus is late today. I hear the 12 o’ clock chimes from Brisbane City Hall’s famous Clock Tower. I am leaning with my back to a barber’s shop front and have not noticed the time. I love just standing there and watching the people pass by.

The young Asian girl in shorts and a T- shirt, on her right shoe the print of one open eye and on the left one, a winking eye. Fun. Talking about winking a middle aged scruffy guy gets off a bus, looks me straight in the eye and winks. It was wicked and not well intentioned. Quite leery. An old man hobbles by in bright orange socks and tradie boots. He is carrying a large empty blue bag over one shoulder and wears a wide brimmed hat. His face is unbelievably sad. I wonder what has made him so sad. I hope he is going to fill his bag with some joy and happiness. Two girls, both gorgeous, one with cascading, rich black hair deep in conversation and I suspect into each other. An Asian grandma with a beautiful chubby baby full of dimples and endearing smiles, gently cooing to him. A businessman crosses the road and stops just in front of me. Dressed in a sharp suit and little laptop bag, he lifts one foot and shines his RM boots with the back of his trousers. He looks down pleased with the shine and walks on. A woman wearing what looks like a lampshade on her head and red sunglasses, her outfit shouting out at me as does her shoulder bag full of red hearts. Off to a mindful yoga session perhaps? A pair of gays looking for their haircut in the barber’s shop just behind. A well dressed and clearly anxious young woman on her way to something which says I am important and don’t you forget it. My clothes and handbag are my signature to it. An elegant elder ballerina, her feet turned out just so, straight back, her hair held back by a band of blue with matching sunglasses and impeccably dressed. I smile. She says, I think I know you from somewhere. I reply I have no idea where but you look fabulous – so do you, she says and walks on.

The bus arrives and I line up. A man stands aside and invites me to go before him. I thank him and get on. The bus is quiet and it gives me time to digest all I have seen. Time well spent – fuelling the day.