Ode to a park bench

As I sit on my favourite park bench and soak in the tranquility around me – the greenery, the sunlight filtering through the trees like drops of golden honey, the soft whisper of a light breeze rustling the leaves, children’s laughter in the distance, the amiable chatter of morning walkers, the sweet chirping of mynas – I feel at peace.  It may not be a ‘walk in the clouds’, but it’s as close to heaven as you’ll get in a bustling city!  Tucked away, not more than a hundred metres from the busy main road, is the park where I go for my morning jog, or evening stroll, or when I simply need to clear my head and my lungs!  I call it my “Eden in the heart of the city” - nothing fancy, but beautiful nonetheless, with its canopy of intertwined branches, flowering shrubs, patches of grass, a children’s play area, stone benches, and a little walkway that runs around it. 

It is my happy place, peaceful and surrounded by nature.  I love to sit on the park benches after a jog or walk, and just take in the beauty around me, or meditate, or talk to God.  I feel His presence here, stronger than any temple or church.  I realize that the soft whisper moving through the trees is the same breath of life that moves through me, and with each breath, I feel my cares slowly start to melt away.  Somehow, nothing seems insurmountable here.

I don’t come here to make friends, but I feel a oneness with these kindred spirits lost in their own thoughts, with a smile or a nod of acknowledgement.  The children smile shyly at you from their games, and one time, one of them ran up to me and said “You have a pretty face”!  Kids say the darndest things, but it sure made my day!  And once, a differently abled little girl smiled at me and waved “hello” - sweetest smile I ever saw.  I love to watch the tiny tots with their proud grandparents, mutual admiration lighting up their eyes.  I’m always amazed at the youthful vitality of the older walkers, they seem so full of life, so young at heart with their saris and Reebok shoes, walking-stick in hand, calling out to each other, always with a smile of greeting.  They seem so much younger and light-hearted than most young people today!

My friends think I’m crazy to ride 15 minutes just to get to a park, when I could just as easily go to a gym or jog on the road.  But I’d choose ‘love and fresh air’ any day, over sweaty, claustrophobic, monotonous gyms, or risking one’s life (and lungs) running on polluted streets!  To me, the park is so much more than just a bunch of trees.  It’s the freshness of the crisp morning air, the familiar smell of roasted peanuts in the evenings, the joy of children’s laughter, the chatter of friendly voices, the smiles from complete strangers, the comfort of a higher presence.  I feel blessed to have found such a place, and I do not take it for granted.  I know many people still lack a little greenery amidst their concrete jungles.  But I wish everyone could find an “Eden” in the heart of their city, and make use of it - it does wonders for both body and soul!