The Old Bench

She runs down the path to the lake by her old school. 

Every day she comes there, for one reason. 

To see something. 

A bench...it stands by the lake. 

Serene and frail. 

It's seen it all. 

The misfortunate bird droppings. 

The nostalgic moments, when a father brought his daughter to throw stones in the lake. 

The happy moments, when a mother gave her daughter a gift to remember. 

A locket, with their family picture. 

Those moments were the ones we all wish were still here. 

Or years later when the daughter came crying because she realized some people never wanted to deserve her love. 

Some people didn't care if she was happy or not. 

Her tears aren't the only tears the bench has seen. 

The bench has seen the cloud's tears, the girl's tears, and has heard the reclusive crow's plaintive call. 

So yes, the bench is old and frail. 

Yes, it has stains of rain-water. 

Yes, there are stains of misfortunate bird droppings. 

But that's because it has a story to tell. 

Wouldn't you rather that?