Verdigris and beechwood adorned with a plaque,
Donated by the family "In memory of Jack,
Who at eighty-four died of a heart attack".
Park benches.

The planks on the seat they buckle and bow,
They see people come, they see people go,
The river of life, the ebb and the flow.
Park benches.

George with his medals sits all alone,
In the winds of November, chilled to the bone.
Remembering his comrades who never came home.
Park benches.

Mary is wondering what old age intends.
Clasping a photograph, curled at the ends.
She's just said goodbye to the last of her friends.
Park benches.

Steve in his business suit, sandwich in hand,
Dreams of a life in a faraway land.
Away from the office, just the sea and the sand.
Park benches.

Two lovers caress, giggle and moan.
No world exists outside of their own.
They carve their initials where the seed was first sown.
Park benches.

Dawn takes out the syringe, searches a vein,
Waits for the rush that will deaden the pain.
This time it's heroin, maybe next time cocaine.
Park benches.

David stares blankly, in his hand a decree.
The paper that says he's supposed to be free,
And thinks of the children that he'll rarely see.
Park benches.

Jack opens his bottle, the flagon of dreams.
Takes a swig and reflects on a life of extremes.
He's been on the road for forever it seems.
Park benches.

The gardener arrives with his shears and his hose
Waters the flowerbeds, snips off a rose
And imagines what secrets are hidden in those......
Park benches.