Interlude at the Fountain
A snapshot of an introspective afternoon / Freeform
INTERLUDE AT THE FOUNTAIN
Cooling jets of water flaunt their flowing liquidity
Tinkling their melodies of eternal optimism
Children dance through shimmering rainbows
Coated in silver wonder they play
“Tag, you’re it,” cries a joyous voice
****************
Pattering footsteps displace mercurial ponds
Frayed ponytail whips around, tickling a pert nose
Running pell-mell to catch the blonde escapee
Taunting little brother narrowly evading her grasp
Their game carries on a cycle of generations lost and found
****************
Mothers new and old chat on the surrounding benches
Watching their young charges as they speak of life
“Did you hear about Gloria’s sister?”
“You won’t believe what Franny’s boy Pete did today…”
Humanity’s conversations, always flowing, rarely ceasing
***************
Eyes brimming with knowing humor crinkle at the antics displayed
As a ruddy faced matron stretches arthritic extremities
Allowing darting needles to still from their task for a moment
As a colorful blanket of soft woven yarn being created below
Whispers a silken sigh of relief and settles into an ample lap
****************
A new mother anxiously gasps her worry
As her fragile offspring slips on an acorn
Carelessly discarded by the nearby oak
Sighing with relief as the child resumes his play
Never noticing the anxious parental concern
****************
Women chatting of life and love, husband and kids
They worry about the bills or paying the rent
Still, each mother pauses occasionally, wistfully watching
As carefree children recall to mind their own days
Splashing in the fountain and chasing the rainbow
And for a short eon in the vastness of Always
Before returning to the concerns of everyday subsistence
They turn back the clock and, for a moment, exist once more
In life’s circuitous game of “Tag, you’re it.”
*******************************************
Stay tuned for further installments. If you enjoy my writing, check out my author page at Amazon.com:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrew-C-McDonald/author/B005MXG90K?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Thanks for reading. :-)
About the Creator
Andrew C McDonald
Andrew McDonald is a 911 dispatcher of 30 yrs with a B.S. in Math (1985). He served as an Army officer 1985 to 1992, honorably exiting a captain.
https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Keys-Andrew-C-McDonald-ebook/dp/B07VM843XL?ref_=ast_author_dp
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
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Niche topic & fresh perspectives
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Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
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Comments (9)
Loved these snapshots full of feeling. Well done!
I loved this Andrew, everything from the flow of the piece to the imagery you were able to impart! Such a great poem, well done!
Wow! Oh the nostalgia. It was the dancing through rainbows that got me! Reminded me of summer moments under the sprinkler with my siblings and cousins 💞
This brought me to tears. Just wonderful. I'm living that right now every day watching my son grow up. You truly are a brilliant writer.
Feels like I'm there!
This was so vivid! I could see, hear and feel everything!
This was like a painting but with words, very nostalgic and vivid. You certainly have a way with words! Loved your poem!
What a beautiful and wistful picture. This is written by a true poet. Great work.
Really paints a beautiful picture. I was drawn into the scene. Brought a wistful smile to my face. Great job.