Not just another
gray day

I have to go to the courthouse
To get a plat recorded for work
I put it off yesterday
Since it was raining
And I was leaving early
But now, this morning I must go
I put on my jacket
And grab my umbrella
The fog was really heavy earlier when I came in
Which got my glasses all wet
As I walk out of the building
It's still pretty foggy
So I open the umbrella

Then I look over to my left
To the trees that are blooming
And I immediately wish I had a camera
The fog and the cherry blossoms
And the coolness of the air
Totally make me think
Of a Japanese tea garden

For a moment, I imagine I'm there
Walking along a winding path
Through well-manicured grounds
Leading to a wooden bridge
Over a koi pond and through a torii gate
To where cherry trees line the pathway
And the morning mist lingers over the pink petals
Giving the landscape a dreamlike quality

Then a passing car honks its horn
And I'm back on the street
Still headed for the courthouse
Instead of a white gravel trail
Through a peaceful oriental scene
I walk along a route I've taken many times before
Over concrete sidewalks
And down red brick stairs
To the courtyard where
I'm greeted by more
Of the same blossoming trees

I walk on past and enter the courthouse
After getting the plat recorded
I decide to stop in and see my ex for a minute
Since her office is in the courthouse, too

She's not in a very good mood
The blinds are closed
Which is understandable
Given it's such a gray day
Then I mention the trees are in bloom
And how cool they look with the fog
Her window overlooks the courtyard
So she opens the blinds
Letting the light in
And smiles at what she sees
Then a customer walks in
So, I say my goodbyes
Happy to have lightened her mood

Walking back through the courtyard
Then up the stairs again
I see hundreds of pale pink petals
Sprinkled all over the ground
Almost like a pink snowfall
If this was in a different setting
Instead of here in the middle of the city
With buidlings and parking lots
And power lines that run right through the trees
I might be tempted to call it beautiful
Still, I can't deny how much
This small amount of nature
Has touched and inspired me

I wish I were somewhere else
Like that Japanese tea garden
But I'm not
I'm on my way back to the office
Back to work
So, I take a few deep breaths
Then let them out
Trying to enjoy the moment
For as long as I can

I'm glad I waited to record the plat
I guess sometimes
A little procrastination
Isn't such a bad thing

3.26.09