A playground of plastic swings and slide is taken over by vegetation. In place but out of time. Who put this here, why does no one play here?
My eyes zoom out to see fields of green paddies submerged in water, rice drinking through its stalk of straw as it grows. It is quiet here.
Translucent wings reflect sun’s rays as they glide across water’s surface, trying to catch water walkers. Landing on a cosmos, folding its wings. Two giant orbs as eyes. Long tail. Balancing on its small legs on rainbows of flowers.
Resting atop cosmos of different height. Blue skies behind them, gentle wind swaying them side to side.
I tiptoe to grab one by its folded wings, to observe the intricate design of connective tissues. Thin and black rectangle etched on the edge of its wings. Feels like mica but much thinner like transparent tape. Arching its body left and right, it tries to escape, frightening me. Then, I release. It flies away, but not that far, before landing on another cosmos.
A game of catch and release I play by myself. Witnessing the beauty of stillness. Gentle breeze tickling my face.
Chasing happiness meant catching dragonflies. Symbol of freedom and flight, beauty wrapped in fragility. A wonder to behold, a reminder to stop and be still. To be one with nature. To be gentle. Breathing in, letting the humidity in the air mixed with dirt and water fill my lungs. Releasing and starting over again. In and out. A play of contraction and expansion. Catching and releasing.
Five dots in a row. Four little ducklings chasing after their mama duck, going quack quack.
Leave a Reply