The small, rural Arkansas town that I live near is fortunate enough to have two city parks. The newer of the two parks has tennis courts, baseball and softball fields and the public pool. The older park is ‘downtown’. This park is a beautiful, quiet place to walk and relax.
The clock tower.
That mesmerizing fountain.
The bridge that separates the two duck ponds.
The ducks.
More ducks.
And lovers in the gazebo.
As I drove by the park, the play of sunlight on water captivated me like the songs of the Lorelei captured the souls of ancient mariners.
The gentle melody of falling water lured me closer. I wanted to crawl into the fountain and capture the water as it rained down on my face. I yearned to be completely surrounded by sparkles.
But the temperature was in the upper 40’s and freezing didn’t sound too attractive so I settled for sitting down and trying to capture the sparkles as they fell.
“Closer, closer,” sang the Lorelei and I decided laying down would be the best way to capture the falling sparkles.
“Closer, closer, closer,” sang the temptress.
I’m a middle-aged woman in a suit laying flat on her back in a public park mesmerized by sparkles of sunlight and water.
Lucky for me, I’m also a music teacher and this particular Lorelei was singing a bit off key which enabled me to break away from her seductive spell. Farewell, ye saucy wench.
“When you’re weary, feelin’ small, when tears are in your eyes I’ll dry them all. I’m on your side.
Oh, when times get rough and friends just can’t be found, like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
When you’re down and out, when you’re on the street, when evening falls so hard I will comfort you. I’ll take your part.
Oh, when darkness comes and pain is all around, like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Sail on silver girl, sail on by. Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine. Oh, if you need a friend, I’m sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind. Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.”
Bridge Over Troubled Water (words and music by Paul Simon)
