Simplicity is beautiful.
Which is the reason why I came out to Waterfowl Park at sunset every night in the summer. Pairs of ducks would be slowly paddling through the water, enjoying each other’s company. The frogs croaked a happy tune while the muskrat made his slow journey across the pond. In the water, one could see a reflection of the majestic sky. In essence, creatures of all shapes and sizes would come together to enjoy the simple colours of the sky, as I liked to imagine it.
I would occasionally listen to classical music during my stroll through the park, walking to the gentle sounds of the piano, which never killed the moment, but made it better, like I was in my own short film. Every night, I would stop at the same spot, halfway around the boardwalk, where the sunset could be taken in fully. I would wait until I could see the sky was half pink, and half orange, with the sun resting on the horizontal plane of the trees.
In this place, every night, I would enjoy a small moment of honest clarity, letting all of my problems and stress fade away. The fresh air, combined with the scenery around me was exhilarating. I never had any company, but that was alright with me, for nothing could ever diminish the feeling of the moment. But those nights also had me thinking, or imagining if you will, a Waterfowl romance. As I sat back, staring out at the sun, I always envisioned a simple tale –
A young man would come out to the sunset every night, enjoying the same scenery that I had, to the sound of the same music that I did. Unknowingly to him, a young woman would always do the same. They never crossed paths, as she enjoyed a much different view of the sunset than he did, but every night they went to the same park at the same hour. Finally, during one of the last sunsets of the season, both the young man and the young woman decide it’s time to take in a new view of the sun. First, the young man would arrive, and lean forward against the railings, lost in his music; the young woman would soon follow suit. Then, ever so subtlety, they would notice each other. Slowly, almost timidly, they would get closer to one another, and without fully realizing it, would enjoy the sunset together. He would put his arm around her until it was over. Understanding one another in that purest moment, they would hold hands and walk away together.
Of course, I am an old romantic, and almost every time I have gone to the park in search of a sunset, it has been on a lonely heart. But I hope that one day, somehow, I will have my own Waterfowl story, ending with a kiss from someone special...Or maybe I will have to keep dreaming, who knows. I do hope, however, that I am not alone in enjoying the beauty in something as simple as the sunset, a park, or a even a kiss from someone who matters. Not everything needs to be unique, or flashy to be wonderful. Sometimes the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen is right in front of you. All you have to do is open your eyes.
To everyone reading this who has someone to share Valentine’s Day with today, do me a favour and take a moment to really appreciate the simple beauty in them. You won't regret it.