came upon this
bench in a park
with
a beautiful view
looking out
toward the water
at first
seeing it was covered with flowers
i imagined
a romantic gesture
left behind
in their happiness
for others
to enjoy
as i got closer
i read the dedication at the top of the bench
‘to vincent’
‘so we can sit and talk forever. godspeed’
october 31, 2004 – october 8, 2024
born on halloween
gone before he could celebrate
his 20th halloween and birthday
what a loving dedication
a wish to stay connected
a place to return
to sit in silence
with their memories of him
i then understood the real reason
the flowers and cards
with hearts on them
all with his name
‘vincent’
were left here
the marker
the paper
left behind
perhaps
for those
who might come later
in their own time
did this begin
with one friend
missing him
other friends
each arriving
as they could
or
all at once
did he love this park
did he love the view
do they
have memories
of times there
shared with
vincent
the flowers
a gift of beauty
the notes
i imagine
were
a gift of words
to say
we miss you
to say
we remember you
to say
we love you
to say
we won’t ever forget you
i picture them
returning to this bench
each year
on the anniversary
of losing their dear friend
looking toward the water
remembering
vincent.
—
‘you meet people who forget you. you forget people you meet.
but sometimes you meet those people you can’t forget.
those are your friends.’
~ Mark Twain
