This Solitary Bench

As I sit on the riverbank,
listening to the flow of the stream
as it passes by
(not forgetting to caress the rocks in its course),

watching the sun as it glistens on the water
and feeling its warmth on my skin,
listening to the steady hum of traffic on the bridge
and music as it bounces from a passing car to the water to my ears,

counting the tolls as the church bell tells me it’s 6 o’ clock
(almost time to return home for dinner),
listening to a group of French girls laughing and enjoying their holiday
(and the rare Irish sun),

watching as a teenage couple express their “undying” love,
as middle-aged friends enjoy ice-cream
and as an elderly couple support each other into town,

I feel content and relaxed,
but all alone,
here on this solitary bench.