Free Energy

Dressed in black, the black man wore dreads and black sunglasses. Next to him laid a black duffel bag, a black rolling suitcase, and a black garbage bag. A straw hat covered his head.

He was rubbing the ground in circular motions while mumbling and putting his hand in and out of the garbage bag. San Francisco teems with outlandish people and behaviors — it takes more than this to bother me, or even to surprise me. So I sat on the bench and soaked the view of the City while my dogs roamed in the grass, their entire bodies following their noses on the trail of some rodent or leftover piece of quesadilla.
– “Hey Brother,” the stranger said. “How are you doing?”
– “Good,” I replied. “It’s a nice and sunny day. What about you?”
– “I’m good, Brother. I’m good. Thank you.”
– “…”
– “Today’s my birthday and I’m giving out free energy.”
– “Well, happy birthday!”
– “Thanks, Brother. You know, that’s what I do. I give free energy to people.”
– “Cool. That’s very generous.”
– “You know, Brother, energy’s gotta keep moving. If you try keepin’ it for yourself you’re goin’ against Nature. One day or another it will come out of you in a different form, maybe not a pleasant one. So you gotta keep it moving all the time. All the energy you receive, you have to pass it on to someone else.”

One rarely encounters the Rastafarian reincarnation of Yoda, even in San Francisco. I stepped closer to the man.
– “Yes, I’m interested,” I said. “I’d like some free energy.”
– “Ok. That’s what I do. That’s what I do. Just let me get ready.”
He removed the pieces of black electrical tape that covered his fingertips – homage to Michael Jackson or ingenious way to conserve energy? Only he knows – and rearranged the black bags several times. Then he removed his black sunglasses. “Straight line”, he mumbled. “Yes, that’s good. One… Two… Three. Good! Now give me your hand.”

I held out my right hand, which he seized delicately. He closed his eyes and wrapped both his hands around mine. His palms and fingers radiated heat. Mine were cold, as always in winter. “It’s all about Love, brother. I’m sending you the energy right now. I’m sending you Love.”

He opened his eyes and released my hand, now warm like his. “It’s all about Love, brother,” he repeated. “Remember you can’t keep it to yourself. You gotta pass the energy to someone else.”

Now hold out your hand and close your eyes.

Cedric, February 2013