By Mona Mehas
he sits on a bench in the park
old growth trees soar over his head
pigeons at his feet devour crackers
left from his lunch
squirrels join the picnic
their chatter brings a smile
his ears perk at the sound of cardinals
but he’s alone
she comes to the park in her finest scarf
with turquoise peacock markings
and silver stars in deep blue
using a tissue, she wipes the bench
before she sits
and glances toward the noise
a man is feeding birds and squirrels
her hands are empty
leaves rustle in the breeze
the sun peeks through thick branches
warming the crown of his head
laughter comes from another bench
her cheeks turn crimson
when he looks at her
anticipation surges
through her fingertips
he stands, pigeons lift into the air
squirrels make for the trees
he straightens his jacket
and tosses the last cracker
it’s just a few steps on shaky legs
between their park benches
she lifts her eyes to meet his
his gait is stronger
she scoots over to make room
not quite to the edge
she likes his eyes, warm and gentle
she says her name; he tells her his
they talk about the weather
they sit for hours until sunset
brings shadows and night sounds
a chill is in the air
too late to walk, they share a cab
with promises to meet again
two lonely people in the park
now know stories of the other's lives
he’ll feed pigeons leftover crackers
she’ll bring homemade cookies
they’ll walk home before dark
their hands clasped together
Mona Mehas (she/her) writes poetry and prose from the perspective of a retired disabled teacher in Indiana USA. A Pushcart and Best New Poets nominee, her work has appeared in multiple journals, anthologies, and online. Her poetry books, Questions I Didn’t Know I’d Asked, Hand-Me-Downs, Self-Centered, and Calling to Shore are available to order. Mona is Editor-in-Chief of Cicada Song Press and President of the Poetry Society of Indiana. She is searching for a home for her first novel, drafting another, and distracted by her next chapbook.
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