Writing prompt In the quiet of an evening

The writing prompt this week is from Sunday Whirlagig and I used 8 of the 12 words.

hologram, touch, lips, crown, tundra, stand, lifelong, garden, sings, anyone, parking, close

                                       In the quiet of an evening

She was walking through the park again, as she did at least once a day. Since moving to the big city she felt a strong need for nature to sooth her spirits. 

Funny about this move, she had a lifelong need for wandering and seeing the next thing. She had wanderlust, said her mother who also said,  "happiness is in your own back yard" 

 

Em thought, "I don't even have a back yard now" so where is happiness? 

She was feeling melancholy now, as dusk approached. Somehow the end of the day was at once peaceful and a little sad. Even noises seemed to dampen a bit, colors became a bit softer, edges a little blurry. Even as warm golden house lights began coming on, the world seemed quieter and more inward. It had always been a favorite time of day for her, an introspective moment. 

She approached the rose garden with it's statues and benches, with the big fountain in the center, ever gurgling like laughter. The roses were in full bloom now that the hottest part of summer was on them. She stood close to the statue of the mermaid, as close as she could, and softly touched her lips with fingertips that longed to connect with others. She was feeling lonely now. The statue was so real but not. 

One little bird was singing in the linden tree nearby. Must be seeking a mate. So was she. Wandering and seeing had fulfilled her needs to see and do, but not the one for connection. Would she ever feel that recognition one feels when  finding a love? Someone who looked into her eyes like they had always known her? The contrasting needs of feeling close while protecting one's heart? 

Yes, she had gone and seen, she had seen the world and done a million things. She could fill three books with adventures. She had love affairs that always came to an end when she needed to move on. She met many people, saying hello and goodbye to each as the time came to move on. 

Now in the quiet warmth of dusk, now when she was tired and surrounded by beauty,  she wondered if the real adventure was in the daily union of two people, if sharing life would replace her wanderlust, or if seeing life with another person would be her next adventure. 

The breeze picked up, moving one curl across her face. She felt a warm dog run up to her, and she reached down to pet the crown of a soft head as soft brown eyes looked at her with love. This dog loved her. A stranger sauntered up with a dangling leash, a man with equally soft brown eyes. 

 

linking to:

sundaywhirlagig
all-seasons-