How often do you finally get to the postcard view
that you had memorized like a mental map?
Now, how often does the universe
align the stars so that they are perfectly aligned
to create the exact ambiance for you?
An experience to unwind and reflect on your thoughts,
to stare at nothingness with sheer joy and awe
to forget existence blinded by the chaos
…
Yet another episode in the colorful French capital
where the liveliness of the waves danced by the promenade,
exuberating the lividness that cities couldn’t afford to resonate with.
Stealthily yet eerily, I eyed the bench that faced the sea
I couldn’t wait for that perfect front row feels;
Only to get distracted with
The grunts of an elderly couple
that shared mutual dissatisfaction over their respective walking speeds.
Flowers were adorned beautifully in her grey hair
She was dressed perfectly for a prom evening (the Indian version, of course).
And with the perfect pair of rolling eyes,
Dilly dallying in her bata sandals, ignorant of her grumbling man who equally paid no heed.
A retired couple, I assume
spending their relaxing days living the life they saved up for.
Sitting by the beach, with a sigh of tiredness after all that rush
Passing water in the lid of the Milton flask, and opening a pack of Haldiram’s
They depicted what could seem like the perfect definition of calmness, and contentment
and most importantly, relief.
Relief of having made it to the other side of the median,
The relief of having made it through the good and bad,
The relief of having one another still on the side (touchwood) despite the rough,
The relief of not having to count their calories or panting on their way back
Or perhaps simply the relief of having found the ideal seat by the err beach?
I may not have found the perfect seat for the sunset that evening.
I may not have got the perfect picturesque ratio for my pictures either.
But I did witness the perfect cadence to their day.
And the blush that shined through the wrinkles as they posed for a selfie ..
…
I did try to take a picture of them, but uncle’s stares got the better of me 😛
