#earley

South Lake, Earley, UK.

The autumn leaves have started to fall. The bright red and brown colours are so lively and energetic they take my breath away as I stare at the colour palets with pure astonishment. As I folow the path, I come across this empty bench looking over the lake through a gap in between the trees. Inside me the astonishment changes to a mix of intregue and curiosity. There are names mentioned on a small plack on the bench, names I never heard of before. A couple who lived around here, must have come to this spot often to enjoy the view and were given a bench in commemoration.

In my mind I can see them, an older couple for whom love never faded. They walk towards this place holding hands. She seems to be worried about something, and he also has a preoccupied look on his face. They sit down and stare over the water. After a few minutes she takes a deep breath and softly squeezes his hand. He turns his head too look into her eyes and sees her love for him reflected in them. On her mouth there's a small ecouraging smile. He knows very well what she is saying, there are no words needed for that. "We will manage this together, and we will be fine. This too shall pass, like all the other things that have come and gone before it." is the clear message she is sending him.

She is right and it makes him laugh a bit realizing how worried he has been over something so small in comparison to the strength they have together. She answers his laugh by widening her smile. He folds his hands around hers and gives them a firm but loving squeeze back. Their attention returns too the water and now they notice the swans calmy swimming by, framed in bright red and gold colors coming from a dazzeling sunset. A beauty that is in the eye of the beholders.