One hidden assumption to the word “alight” is that there is a downward moving forward movement from above. There is also a sense that when you “alight” that you “alight” onto a more stable surface.
As in “the girl ‘alights’ from the bus”. We automatically have the picture of the girl stepping down the precarious steps of the bus, down onto the pavement of the stable surface of the road. When is it exactly that the “alighting” has taken place? Is it the entire process of stepping down each step or when she lands on the pavement?
The same is true for the bird that takes a rest on the swaying branch of the huge Oak tree. He is in the air flying forward as he gently “alights” on a branch from above, even if his journey starts from the ground below where he last “alit” for he has to be above the branch to “alight” on it.
“Alight” is a movie picture word. Our imagination sees the entire scene of the action of “alighting”. We feel the movement of the “alighting” as we settle into the relief of the safe arrival of going from point A to point B. “Alighting” also provides us with a moment of rest before our journey moves us on.
AFTER 13 YEARS
Jessie ‘alighted’ from the abusive relationship with nowhere to go. She had had enough, the last straw was broken. So when Rocky stopped in Keremeos for gas, grabbing her purse, she ‘alighted’ from the car and made her escape.
Standing in the pay phone booth ready to dial 911 if need be, she repeatedly told Rocky that she was not getting back into the car. After much screaming, threatening, pleading and hollow promises now so familiar, he finally drove off, leaving Jessie behind.
“Now what”? Jessie wondered. Rifling through the phone book, she found the address for the Greyhound Bus station. She hunted for the phone number of the local crisis line which turned out to be a long distance number – no help there.
Planning to catch the next bus no matter where it was going, Jessie walked back into town easily finding the bus station. The next bus wasn’t due until morning and it was heading to Vancouver.
After buying a toothbrush and toothpaste, Jessie checked into the downtown hotel for the night. After watching TV for awhile, tucked in, feeling safe and secure, she eventually drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Back at the bus station the next morning, she purchased a ticket to Langley, where Rocky and she lived. Once there she would decide what to do.
The bus pulled up to the Langley bus depot and Jessie “alighted” from the bus. She entered the bus station and entered the Ladies room. A few minutes later she “alighted” from the bus stations front door. It was then that she saw their car parked in the bus stations parking lot. Rocky was no where in sight. So she jumped into the car and drove away, watching in the rear view mirror, but Rocky was nowhere to be seen.
Calculating that she had a window of opportunity she drove to the basement suite that they rented to fill the car with as much of her belongings as she could in the few minutes she had.
As she walked in, she noticed that her suitcase was unpacked and everything was put away. There were notes all around telling her of phone messages. Everything was neat and tidy like nothing had happened. She wondered where Rocky was and why the car was parked at the bus station.
No time to lose, she threw things in garbage bags and filled the car. A few minutes later “alighting” from the house for what would be the last time, she drove off not knowing where to go, just wanting to get as far away as possible.
A light had finally come on, and she knew that this relationship was finally over.
By Lynn Keeling April 5/09
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