while feeding the ducks

St. John the Baptist's Church (15th ct.) in Ribčev Laz on Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

 

Here, just by chance, we're caught, in the shade

staring, surprised, into eyes of the past

while watching the ducks as they circle the pond

It seems they are hands on a clock sweeping time

where silence is gentler,... because now we are friends

 

Today, on this bench, lost men will linger,

while waiting for nothing, and no place to go

Once we had claimed this 'our' place to hold hands,

planning a future that never began

Children we were with the world at command

I'm glad we aren't talking in circles, .. like then

 

Other children are playing in the rust afternoon,

zippered up tight, against winter wind

Talking of children..you tell me there's two

You show me a photo,…then, I share a few

 

I am all out of bread, as the sun starts to fade

taking away all the stains of the day

East of the bandstand shadows grow long,

falling in corners like memories do

 

We've learned to know twilight can be bittersweet

And taste what dim recall has only allowed

Goodbyes are said, and you then, kiss my cheek, ..

then you turn and you wave, as you are crossing the street

 

Left wondering now, where those lost men will go,

it worries my brow, what lost men will eat

A shadow of you, is still left in the park, …

of us holding hands, as it starts to get dark

I leave a few dollars here, on our bench

Checking my watch,… I will leave no regrets.

 

(While Feeding the Ducks by Carrie Richards)

 

 

Done