Monday, April 29, 2019

A Variegated Playground

A short boy stands under the warm evening sunlight, his oversized gray Star Wars t-shirt hanging down past his knees, forming a blob of neutral color in my field of vision. All around him, colors swirl and leap. 

A young black girl bounces across the bridge, holding her floral, fluorescent orange dress above her ankles. A little boy runs past, his deeply tanned skin matching the wood chips that crunch beneath his feet. A smoky smell of barbecue drifts by, mingling with the laughter and chatter of the pale-skinned, freckled man and woman who sit together, their red hair a bright and unexpected sight. A teenage girl stalks across the playground, deftly hopping over the fence while holding a pizza box aloft. Her long cornrow braids dance, shades of pink dye blushing against a background of black. A woman lounges on the bench nearby, the dark lines of tattoos contrasting with her light skin and blue hair. 

One small boy runs past. Perspiration frames his face, and he has discarded his shirt. Inspired by his example and warmed by the heat, other little boys begin casting off their shirts. They scamper between the wooden play structures, their bare bellies a kaleidoscope of tan, black, and white. 

Like a skein of multicolored yarn, this segment of variegated humanity loops and twists; it is knit together to create a masterpiece. 


4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks, Elisabeth! I'm so glad you enjoyed this :) I hope you're doing well!

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  2. Beautiful! I love humanity in all of its hues.

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    Replies
    1. I'm thrilled this could touch you, Lianna!

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