A Walk Home from Work

Slumping in her chair. Elsie sighed, looking at the paperwork still to be done. The screen glaring back at her. She had been in a slump all day and knew no more productive work was being done. Make a decision, she told herself. Stay at work and become more frustrated, more tired, more disappointed and nothing achieved. Or, go home for a date with her bed. Turning off her computer immediately. Tidying her desk. She wrote a list of what she needed to prioritise tomorrow. She would come in rested and energetic. Elsie, gathering her things, walked out the door and become blinded by the bright sunlight. Instantly warming her skin. She stopped closed her eyes from the glare. Took a deep breath. tilted her head back and just let the warmth fall all over her skin. Arriving at 6am to her workplace she had not yet even noticed how beautiful the day was. She still felt exhausted from work and wanted nothing more than a rushed date with her bed. Right at that moment she saw the bus go past to take her home, another would not be around for 20 minutes. The same time it would take for her to walk home. Another sigh. Elsie began her walk. At first Elsie was in her own world. Thinking about the breakup she had just gone through (She said things she didn't mean). The argument she had with her friend (She had been right about the boy). The pile of work she just left (It'll mean more for her tomorrow). Her weight (She should hit the gym more). Her hair colour (too orange). Her nails (Needing a manicure). The list didn't end. As she came closer to a public school her mind became more aware of what was around. The children laughing. The swing set creaking. The sand flying in the air and kids just running, playing whatever was in the minds so imaginatively. Those days seem endless years away. She could just remember the days of being carefree through glimpses and what others told her. Growing up in Scotland, an orphan, cold and hungry. She longed for the childhood other had been privileged to have. Though longing for such a life, she never despised or hated a person for this, she had taken the perspective of never taking anything for granted. appreciating what she had in life and what is around. She realised, watching these children she had forgotten that. One last glance, Elsie smiled and continued her walk. Taking deliberate time to look around. Walking through the park she noticed the lovers of 60 years that sat on the same park bench having ice cream every Thursday at 4. The young family watching their kids play with a ball while their youngest learnt to walk on the grass. A gentle cool breeze blew through the air, rustling the red, yellow and green leaves of the large oak trees, trees sheltering students reading at its base, studying (and gushing at the college boys playing soccer). The sun gazed through the leaves brightening her vibrant orange hair that was blowing wildly in the wind. Continuing down the path she started noticing more, just how large the oak trees were, the varying shades of green and yellow on the leaves deciding that Autumn was on its way. The way the wind relieved the tree of the leaves to allow them to dance their way down to the ground. She could hear the trills of birds as they were flown from their perch by the sudden gusts. Their songs as they sang to each other, providing music for all who will listen. She took a deep breath. Looked around seeing the sun rays shine through the trees. Watching as the light touched everything she could see. Feeling the fresh air fill her lungs, knowing in a moment she would be back on the streets filling her lungs with the dust, gases and pollution of the city. From

By Chiara Ann VicaryPublished 3 years ago • 3 min read

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