A Day In The Park - A Haibun Poem by Judy Meibach

The foliage in the park is stunning. Cherry blossoms are blooming. Their smell radiates across the densely populated garden. Men, young and old are sitting on the dark green benches which have been newly refurbished, reflecting on the meaning of their lives, as they take in the splendid day that they are spending in this often desolate park.

Cherry blossoms bloom
Men sitting on park benches
Sun radiates today

It is Memorial Day weekend which coincides with Sailors' Week here in New York. The men and women in their white uniforms pass through the park and salute the people. A feeling of pride pervades the crowd. Everybody reflects on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the soldiers that we have lost. A feeling of sadness permeates through the crowd as one could see a few tears trickling down the people's faces.

Sailors in white
Reflection on wars
Pride pervades the crowd