A Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Poem by Raymond Farrell

Today
As I sit
Under the locust tree
I think about
The pleasant Sunday afternoon
That has unfolded
The cool of autumn
Was replaced by some heat
And as I walked
Around the main sqaure
At the center of the university
People were taking their leisure
Most strolling with ease
No haste - no business today
Thirteen palm trees
In a crest like formation
Guard the northern end
Of the square
Manicured shrubs and bushes
Are artistically arranged throughout
There are places to sit
And contemplate life
I passed a fellow
On roller blades
Performing difficult manoeuvers
I did not stand to watch
For fear I might encourage him
To attempt some dangerous trick
Instead, I proceeded
To the other side of the square
And sat watching a boy
Picking stones from the dried bed
Of the catchment of the fountain
Which is rarely turned on
This is the way life is here
Calm, understandable, and explainable
Unfortunately, you won't find such
In most poetry journals today.