walking in the park

I woke up really early on Saturday morning after having a bad dream and couldn't fall back asleep. From about 4:45 Am on, I was wide awake. After watching the sun come up and still not feeling sleepy, I left the apartment at 6 Am and headed for Central Park. I was mainly curious to see if 1) there was anyone in the subway at 6 Am on a Saturday and 2) if there was anyone besides homeless and raving lunatics in the park at that hour.



After arming myself with a coffee and a lemon slice I walked tentatively into the park - even at 6:30 there was so much light but I still had that nervous feeling that arises everytime you're in New York and there's hardly anyone around. I sat on a rock with my journal and studied my surroundings: mainly joggers, bicyclists, and people walking their dogs. Only a few homeless shaking off the sleepies, and thankfully, no lunatics. It was such a gorgeous feeling, to be under the green trees and listen to the world waking up. I had this squirrel companion who I swear was messing with me - every time I'd turn my head he'd be standing extremely close to me, as if he was testing my peripheral vision...



And the flowers. I found a secret spot near a fountain that hadn't been discovered by the dog people. A man who looked very not sane (but seemed otherwise harmless) stood motionless by huge clumps of pink flowers. There was a quietness in the park that I so often crave - no roaring buses, sirens, people screaming, horns honking, conversations, dog barks, or cellphone talkers. Just a wonderful silence punctuated by birds and the wind moving through the trees. And flowers that filled my head with colored dreams when finally I came back home and fell asleep...