The time you get to read my thoughts inspired by the mundane yet vibrant moments spent walking in the park.

Today, I'm going to share with you something I wrote based on the thoughts that came to me while I walked my walks. These observations were inspired or shall I say, triggered, by random scenarios in the park from the lens of your typical townie/garden lurker.

So, here it goes...

It's the kind of hot day that accentuates the stench of decay. Breezy with a herbal tinge of freshly cut grass in the air, birds chirpily chat and people going about their business, while there I am walking in the shade of swaying trees.

--

It's hard to differentiate between a disturbed individual and the average person these days. Just a while ago, while walking around the park, l spotted a guy smiling a toothy grin from a corner of the bushy foliage and instantly felt a sense that l had to scram. Or at least, to keep a safe distance. Then, l thought to myself that he might be on the phone. Which was backed up by what I saw afterwards when he'd ended up walking a distance in front of me. The reflective screen held by his left hand as he walked happily ahead glinted as the sun glared. I settled into my walk.

Word of advice: Refrain from hysterically grinning while located in random bushes. You might be beaming from the sheer unadulterated happiness from a text message, yes. Good for you. An onlooker, on the other hand, has to prepare for sudden bursts of belligerence, whether real or imagined.

--

The unwell man muttered something to himself as l breezed by. If I had noticed him, l would have taken a different path. Now that he'd noticed my presence, l kept a steady pace, head held high as l stomped by like l was unwell myself.

--

I've seen the skirt guy around before and he'd pretty much kept to himself. Not today though. As I jogged right by him, he let out a full blown scream. A senior on his slow walk stopped and gave him (the screamer) a stare while I kept my jogging pace and wondered what on earth got to him. Did I catch him off his reverie? Well, my bad. I'd avoid him and his skirt the next time but oh well, I didn't because he was off my radar once again walking pass me by the opposite side completely immersed in his internal world.

--

There was a lady that shouted something in my direction and l'd responded throwing sounds her way. Then, I got annoyed. A one-sided animated chat in the middle of a tranquil garden is a blasphemy. I made some sounds and started off into a different walking path.

--

I smelled the aroma of urine and it lingered in contrast to the earthy scent of wet soil, grass and wild flowers. While the universal odor of urine a reminder of our oneness, public urination should at least be performed away from popular walking paths. Not that l applaud such a repugnant act, anyway, and I think, they're in no (mental)place to get to the loo. Well, perhaps some of them. I can empathize. They say it's the call of nature. Well, nature calls for a better location on your next carefree urine disposal.

shanaz@RS | 11:16 PM | Labels: short prose therapy