An Image Of A Bench Poem by Elizabeth Padillo Olesen

On an empty bench
stands the stillness
the absence of those
who used to sit down
and hold each other`s hands
while watching the sunset.

Empty and silent
forgotten and unwanted,
this bench stands erect
beside these robust trees
that swing their branches
and cast their shadows on the face
of this empty bench.

The winter cold creates
emptiness and loneliness
Those who find this bench
a delightful meeting place
have to have a break.

And yet the shadows
of these swinging branches
that cast a spell over this empty space
will ever remind the life supporting role
this bench has served through all the years
for those who sit down, hold their hands
while watching the sunset.