This is beautiful. Is it a poem? You make us work to appreciate the art! I used an online facility and liked the imagery of rivers and candles. I just hope I got that right. So lovely to see you here Chen!
Reminds me of the time I went to the drive in movie with friends who had a little boy. The movie was Jaws and it was raining heavily, so hard we could barely see the movie. The boy was standing with my arm around his bottom. Suddenly, I felt a wet dribble going down my arm." Rain,rain everywhere", I said.
Ellen viewed the empty benches as her boots splashed through the overflowing river water. Thoughts of warmer days flashed through her mind.
“Never mind,” she murmured quietly. “Soon we will return to those times.”
She walked over and sat on a bench ignoring the cascade of water that was falling all about her.
“Many things change,” she stated to herself, “but some memories carry on forever.” She pictured her husband tossing a line into the river and talking about those damn Yankees buying everyone in sight to make them a better team. Her memories turned towards her son falling into the water only to be plucked out by her laughing husband. She reflected on the time her daughter was sunbathing when a sea gull approached and stole her bag of Doritos. The Doritos were last seen flying into the sun.
“Memories, sunshine and water. Those are pretty much the only constants in our lives.”
Ellen noticed a young man approaching her with a police officer. She frowned and then smiled as they came near.
“Thank you officer,” said Robert.
“Maam,” asked the police officer, “are you okay?”
Ellen looked at the officer. “I am having a splendid time waiting on this bench. My husband should be here shortly.”
The police officer looked at Robert sympathetically as Robert shook his head. “Maam, you are needed at home. We have come to take you there.”
Ellen looked at them. “Is it Bobby? He is always doing things to hurt himself. One time he jumped off the roof thinking he was Superman.”
Robert smiled at the memory. The officer smiled a goofy smile. “I think we all have done that at one time or another. It’s time to go,” he said. He stepped forward and took hold of her elbow to help her rise from the bench.
Robert took the other elbow.
As she rose Ellen commented, “It sure isn’t like it used to be out here.”
She had been waiting all afternoon but as yet nobody had turned up. Should she give up or go home? The rain was coming down thick and fast now, the grass on the field behind almost flooded. She had planned it all so well, there was enough benches for everyone, great view, she even had snacks in her pockets, but the one thing she couldn't control was the weather. The inaugral meeting of the 'Park Bench Appreciation Society' would have to wait for another day. Maybe next time she should plan for rain...
Домик у речки, домик у речки
поставят тебе в изголовье две свечки
а в речке привольно течет вода,
уже неважно, в обшем, куда
This is beautiful. Is it a poem? You make us work to appreciate the art! I used an online facility and liked the imagery of rivers and candles. I just hope I got that right. So lovely to see you here Chen!
Rain, rain everywhere .
Reminds me of the time I went to the drive in movie with friends who had a little boy. The movie was Jaws and it was raining heavily, so hard we could barely see the movie. The boy was standing with my arm around his bottom. Suddenly, I felt a wet dribble going down my arm." Rain,rain everywhere", I said.
Thank you , Writer Pilgrim!
Thank you , Bill !
Thank you , David !
Thank you , Scott !
Rain and nothing else I guess? Hahahaha! A tender moment nevertheless. Thank you too Theresa and you're welcome!
A Dark and Dreary Afternoon
Ellen viewed the empty benches as her boots splashed through the overflowing river water. Thoughts of warmer days flashed through her mind.
“Never mind,” she murmured quietly. “Soon we will return to those times.”
She walked over and sat on a bench ignoring the cascade of water that was falling all about her.
“Many things change,” she stated to herself, “but some memories carry on forever.” She pictured her husband tossing a line into the river and talking about those damn Yankees buying everyone in sight to make them a better team. Her memories turned towards her son falling into the water only to be plucked out by her laughing husband. She reflected on the time her daughter was sunbathing when a sea gull approached and stole her bag of Doritos. The Doritos were last seen flying into the sun.
“Memories, sunshine and water. Those are pretty much the only constants in our lives.”
Ellen noticed a young man approaching her with a police officer. She frowned and then smiled as they came near.
“Thank you officer,” said Robert.
“Maam,” asked the police officer, “are you okay?”
Ellen looked at the officer. “I am having a splendid time waiting on this bench. My husband should be here shortly.”
The police officer looked at Robert sympathetically as Robert shook his head. “Maam, you are needed at home. We have come to take you there.”
Ellen looked at them. “Is it Bobby? He is always doing things to hurt himself. One time he jumped off the roof thinking he was Superman.”
Robert smiled at the memory. The officer smiled a goofy smile. “I think we all have done that at one time or another. It’s time to go,” he said. He stepped forward and took hold of her elbow to help her rise from the bench.
Robert took the other elbow.
As she rose Ellen commented, “It sure isn’t like it used to be out here.”
Robert said quietly, “You are so right mom.”
“How long we gonna watch her, boss? We got the call almost an hour ago.”
“Just a couple more minutes. She’ll be coming in soon.”
“Last thing I need on a raw day like this is to have to jump in the drink to fish out some looney.”
“Not to worry. Look.”
Sure enough the woman in plaid turned slowly and began to trudge away from the water line.
The senior officer smiled knowingly.
“How were you so sure, boss?”
“Jumpers don’t bring umbrellas.”
Never thought of that. Your last line lingers now and starts a whole other conversation. Thank you Scott!
Love this pic you have a great eye!
You’re very kind! Thank you again!
How did we get here, I wonder
Sheltering under this shelterless tree
Staring at a river that keeps flowing
Even though she’s not here
Sitting ion the bench would be no better
Just a closer view of that relentless, that irrepressible proof of life continuing
Even though she’s not here
At least the sun’s not shining
Not forcing me to be up and about with joy
The grey clouds suit me fine.
I mean, it’s a bit cold and my face hurts
And I guess the clear water with its rain dropped surface
And the golden rushes at the edge of the obviously haunted island
Aren’t so bad
If the sun shone right now,
It would be glorious
Even though she’s not here
And I hear it will be sunny tomorrow
Beautifully written. "The grey clouds suit me fine" connects the feelings to the weather and combine the duality of your poem.
She had been waiting all afternoon but as yet nobody had turned up. Should she give up or go home? The rain was coming down thick and fast now, the grass on the field behind almost flooded. She had planned it all so well, there was enough benches for everyone, great view, she even had snacks in her pockets, but the one thing she couldn't control was the weather. The inaugral meeting of the 'Park Bench Appreciation Society' would have to wait for another day. Maybe next time she should plan for rain...
Love the PBAS! Does it really exist? Thank you Lisa!
I think it it doesn't then I should start it, you in?
I guess you leave me no choice! Let me tell you these benches with the little inscription or dedication, I cannot pass them by without reading them.
Oh I know how you feel, I feel impelled to sit on them and admire the view they must have once had!
That too!
I wrote this before my entry yesterday but it needed some work.
The Water Kept On Rising
The water kept on rising.
In standing there was a world without love
And the water kept on rising.
The number 9 dream had penetrated his heart
And the water kept on rising
All the lonely people wished they were together
And the water kept on rising.
The movement of his shoulders signified warmth
And the water kept on rising.
The love you give is equal
And the water kept on rising.
Glass onions led the way
And the water kept on rising.
We only have half a pepper left, moaned the meter maid.
And the water kept on rising
I’ll give you anything that you want, sang the elder statesman
And the water kept on rising.
Clang clang clang rang the bell on the fire engine.
And the water kept on rising.
Tickets to ride the calliope were canceled this weekend.
And the water kept on rising.
Movements caught the rain before it fell in the holes
And still the water kept on rising.
The kaleidoscope pictured a silver hammer
And still the water kept on rising
The piggies ran wild as the night became hard
And still the water kept on rising
We’re on our way home thought the mariner
And still the water kept on rising
The arrival of the police in the roundabout pushed people back through the pealing bells.
And still the water kept on rising.
The music grew more focused as the pony played on
And still the water kept on rising
Until the bubble burst, tears flooded the streets, replaced by wishes and dreams, until that fateful day when the water flowed no more.
WINTER
When the sun has abandoned the day,
And others have chosen the safety and warmth of fire and family,
I, in restless loneliness,
Go to the muddy, overflowing
river.
I want to walk, feel the challenge of this season.
To find the place where
I can be my own
Shelter.
Wow! Thank you for this Bernadette. Love how you've found a shelter in the imagery not usually connected with this. Very powerful!
Oh! Thanks so much for that feedback- means a lot. 🙂