Walk in the Park
A door creaks open, sounding more sinister than it should.
The door does not revolve; it is not moving on its own.
Instead, one of my arms is brave enough to reach.
Hand to handle. I push. Then, I yawn.
Today's not a coffee day...for now.
Outside, the sky is mostly dark, and three things brighten
and keep me (from falling asleep) on the porch:
I see a bird (this one without wings) with two wheels.
It also chirps.
I debate taking it for a spin before deciding my feet will do.
This is the plan: enjoy the day.
So, I walk.
Shorts and a tee shirt. Slightly shivering.
On my way, I think about what causes goose bumps for longer than necessary.
Arriving at the park, I briefly sit on a bench.
The only benchmark I consider is how quickly I ran the last time I was here.
Time to get going.
I start slow.
PICK UP THE PACE!
Downhill, this is easy to do.
Blue Jays look more like swooshes as one effortlessly swings between two trees.
A flash of crimson flies ahead of me shortly after.
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If the cardinal's headed that way, I am moving in the right direction.
Even so, the dirt path is a bit uneven.
Muddy too.
Slow down.
Almost arriving at my next destination, I decide to walk again. I clock it.
Quicker than last time.
The sun is out now, and the water I finally find is clear from far away.
Coming closer to it, I see a man in the water with a bucket.
This is clearly not his first rodeo.
Curiously, I ask what he is doing.
"Cleaning the river."
"Do you work for the park?"
"Nope."
"Why are you doing this then?"
"I like the outdoors. Everyone should get to enjoy this place."
He reaches in his back pocket, and launches something in a duck's direction.
Fresh food, I gather.
I am half-expecting Mike Rowe and the Dirty Jobs' camera crew to pop out and help him. I do debate throwing off my socks and shoes before deciding:
Not today. Maybe tomorrow.
As I am running uphill, I suddenly stop.
I decide to walk again.
I take my time, stretch, and listen.
I see some of what I had not noticed on the way down.
Next time I am here, there will be more.