>>The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read:
>>> >>
>>> >> Beneath the long, straggly
>>> >> branches of an old willow tree
>>> >>
>>> >> Disillusioned by life with good
>>> >> reason to frown,
>>> >>
>>> >> For the world was intent on
>>> >> dragging me down.
>>> >>
>>> >> And if that weren't enough to
>>> >> ruin my day,
>>> >>
>>> >> A young boy out of breath
>>> >> approached me, all tired from play.
>>> >>
>>> >> He stood right before me with his
>>> >> head tilted down
>>> >>
>>> >> And said with great excitement,
>>> >> "Look what I found!"
>>> >>
>>> >> In his hand was a flower, and
>>> >> what a pitiful sight,
>>> >>
>>> >> With its petals all worn - not
>>> >> enough rain, or too little light.
>>> >>
>>> >> Wanting him to take his dead
>>> >> flower and go off to play,
>>> >> I faked a small smile and then
>>> >> shifted away.
>>> >>
>>> >> But instead of retreating he sat
>>> >> next to my side
>>> >>
>>> >> And placed the flower to his nose
>>> >>
>>> >> And declared with overacted
>>> >> surprise,
>>> >>
>>> >> "It sure smells pretty and it's
>>> >> beautiful, too.
>>> >>
>>> >> That's why I picked it; here,
>>> >> it's for you."
>>> >>
>>> >> The weed before me was dying or
>>> >> dead.
>>> >>
>>> >> Not vibrant of colors: orange,
>>> >> yellow or red.
>>> >>
>>> >> But I knew I must take it, or he
>>> >> might never leave.
>>> >>
>>> >> So I reached for the flower, and
>>> >> replied, "Just what I need."
>>> >>
>>> >> But instead of him placing the
>>> >> flower in my hand,
>>> >> He held it mid-air without reason
>>> >> or plan.
>>> >>
>>> >> It was then that I noticed for
>>> >> the very first time
>>> >>
>>> >> That weed-toting boy could not
>>> >> see: he was blind.
>>> >>
>>> >> I heard my voice quiver; tears
>>> >> shone in the sun
>>> >>
>>> >> As I thanked him for picking the
>>> >> very best one.
>>> >>
>>> >> "You're welcome," he smiled, and
>>> >> then ran off to play,
>>> >>
>>> >> Unaware of the impact he'd had on
>>> >> my day.
>>> >>
>>> >> I sat there and wondered how he
>>> >> managed to see
>>> >>
>>> >> A self-pitying woman beneath an
>>> >> old willow tree.
>>> >>
>>> >> How did he know of my
>>> >> self-indulged plight?
>>> >>
>>> >> Perhaps from his heart, he'd been
>>> >> blessed with true sight.
>>> >>
>>> >> Through the eyes of a blind
>>> >> child, at last I could see
>>> >>
>>> >> The problem was not with the
>>> >> world; the problem was me.
>>> >>
>>> >> And for all of those times I
>>> >> myself had been blind,
>>> >>
>>> >> I vowed to see the beauty in
>>> >> life,
>>> >>
>>> >> And appreciate every second
>>> >> that's mine.
>>> >>
>>> >> And then I held that wilted
>>> >> flower up to my nose
>>> >>
>>> >> And breathed in the fragrance of
>>> >> a beautiful rose
>>> >>
>>> >> And smiled as I watched that
>>> >> young boy,
>>> >>
>>> >> Another weed in his hand,
>>> >>
>>> >> About to change the life of an
>>> >> unsuspecting old man
>>> >> |
