Park Bench

by Anna Grace Carey, on gratitude

sit here, sit still 

for fifteen minutes

the fountain fills the silence

the air is heavy with rain that hasn't fallen

yet

i think about time

a friend from high school met her son last night

in the photo she shared, her face was exhausted and proud 

and Darwin was soft and pink in her arms

a class reunion was last night too

i drank tequila with friends

and talked about the people we used to be

and how big everything used to feel

i think about the person i will grow up to be

i walked through a room today 

with a spiral ceiling, brought to life by specks of stained glass

it reminds me of cathedrals, with their east-facing windows

designed so the morning sun can animate each sermon

religion seems to have a flair for the dramatic

my dog throws himself onto my lap when he wants attention

he looks up at me and yawns when he's ready for bed

goldendoodles also seem to have a flair for the dramatic 

i think about the fact i haven't sat in a public park

not for a very long time

i think about how nice it has been and will be 

to meet myself 

i think about how grateful i am to not know what my legacy will be