Once again, a darkness surrounded me,
But it was soon broken by the first rays of sunlight.
The soles of my shoes thudded on the concrete
As I walked through the park gate.

The crisp scent of Autumn hung in the air,
And as I walked the path, I recognized them:
The woman sat on the bench, her babes eyes fixed
On the falling leaves, unaware of her slowly fading light.
Won’t all light fade?

As I continued down the trail,
My thoughts were scattered by the eerie creek of swings.
The two children laughed and played,
unfazed by the early spring chill.
I knew the boy, but he could not know me.
The future is not to be dwelled on by the young,
But is that not their undoing?

Before I knew it, the sun had risen to its peak,
And golden light danced across the icy pond
Where a couple skated in endless circles,
Oblivious to the passing time.
I passed them by with a heavy heart,
Sucked into memories of a past life,
But a shuddering sound brought me out.

In the failing summer light I noticed him —
Young, strong, and full of life —
But an aura of fear surrounded him,
His fate but a construct of his own volition.
Why did he not change his ways?

In the park exit I stood, frozen in fear.
Across the street I saw her, shattered and alone.
The dim moonlight fell upon the muted stone,
Next to where she stood crying,
Arms full of life.

Once again, a darkness surrounded me,
And as I walked back the way I came
The birds seemed to sing an elegy —
A requiem to life.