Park Bench
Written by: David A. DeRose
Three old ladies sit on a park bench.
Their crackled faces form smiles, sincere and reassuring. The sun warms their
pale, freckled, vascular flesh. They watch as toddlers, a boy and a girl,
bobble in the thick green grass. Watching, they discuss old times, families,
and get caught up on grandchildren. Their seasoned vocal chords make melodies
that sit atop the breeze like music.
Their gaze moves from each other to
survey they park. The boy, in his coveralls and light blue shirt, is carefully
observing the grass around him—chubby arms raised like a football referee. The
girl’s blonde hair glows in the sunlight as she bounces and twirls, making her
flower dress catch the wind and flutter freely. Her arms spread wide to catch
every bit of balance she can. In an instant, she loses her hold on gravity and
falls gently on her backside.
Just to the left, the boy squats, and is
clearly investigating something closely. The old ladies can’t see what it is as
the boy’s back is facing them. He points and reaches down with his chubby hand.
He plucks something from the ground and stands up with it, holding it with both
hands. The girl, just getting up from her tumble, turns to the boy just in
time. He offers her a dandelion. His posture: regal. The girl’s hands go to
both of her cheeks before accepting the yellow blossom.
The old lady on the left clasps her hands
together, rubbing one thumb down the middle of her palm, and cracks a shy
smile. The old lady in the middle taps her hand on her bosom, tilting her head
slightly to the left sighing softly. The old lady on the right claps her hands
together—jewelry rattling—and exclaims, “Oh, what a gentleman!”
Beauty is transitory moments that are as
sweet as they are fleeting. These old women, with their untold wisdom and keen
awareness of their own mortality, watch the two youngsters investigating the
world with innocent eyes. The women’s moment is equally as beautiful as the children’s
frolicking. This is life’s beautiful balance; young and old. Perspectives, in endless
juxtaposition, deliver timeless transcendent splendor.
