It
was a bright, crisp fall day in the park and sunshine streamed down through the
multi-colored leaves in their last stage of life. The crumpled, wrinkly old man
sat on the withered, ancient, peeling, rickety park bench. He was twenty-five
pounds of neglected left over potatoes in a fifty pound burlap bag. The burlap
bag of a coat folded and sagged over his reduced frame. His clothes were from
an earlier time in his life when life’s juices flowed freely, blood coursed
through his veins, and muscles were strong, nimble and bulbous, not shrunken,
rigid and in a weakened retrograde state.
A
bird alighted on the bench now and turned his head to the side as if to say, “Hey
Pop, ya got anything to eat?” The old man smiled having planned ahead for this
expected occurrence and reaching into one of his deep cavernous coat pockets for
a sandwich bag containing bird seed. A pinch of seed was sprinkled on the
ground near the old man’s shoes. He licked the excess seeds from his fingers while
thinking to himself… Ehh I’m not so impressed, but then again, I’m not a bird.
The
squirrel arrived next wearing his best, most deprived look in spite of his
considerable girth, his large brown eyes begging for a treat. This time the old
man mined deep into his pocket like a persistent, tireless coal miner, to retrieve
a bag of almonds for his squirrel friend, and after proper greetings were exchanged,
he placed a few almonds on the far side of the bench. The squirrel jumped up
and partook of this generously offering. The old man removed five almonds from
the bag for himself while thinking… Now this is worth eating! He crunched on
the nutty flavored nuts, as well as his teeth would allow. The squirrel made a
mental note to seek out the old man every day in the park, especially when
winter came and survival became more difficult.
Next
a dog came along, a scruffy brown dachshund with no collar. The old man and the
dog joyously embraced and he petted his friend. The dog’s tail spun like a
whirling dervish, incapable of containing his excitement. Covetous of this
banquet the dog did not want the squirrel and the bird to receive all of the bounty.
From the inner recesses of his pocket, a particularly perfect beef bone was removed
from wax paper and the greasy meat encrusted offering presented. The excited
canine greedily accepted this gift which was almost as big as he was. Meat had been intentionally left on the bone
for his enjoyment.
Last
but not least a mother and her small daughter came walking along to say hello,
and after receiving permission from the mother, the old man gave the little
girl a sealed lollipop from his shirt pocket sliding it up his sleeve and pulling
it out from behind the girl’s ear, “What is that behind your ear?” the old man
asked. The child laughed with glee!
His
work was done now and all his various depends and friends taken care of. After
everyone had gone along their way the old man hoisted himself up pushing
against the seat of the bench and leaning into his cane, he walked home,
content with a pleasant morning spent with refreshing fresh air, exercise, radiant
warm sunshine and good friends. Although forgotten and neglected the old man
had found purpose and worth again.
Jim
Sept. 2021
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