The Bench -- A Symphony in B Flat Major

Andante con gusto

Sapphire swirls through pink and lavender,
as little clouds trimmed in yellow,
traveled slowly across the sky
and scattered blue comes into view.
Weeping willows swayed to the breeze.
The legatto sound of a water-fall,
the soft trill of the lake
a catfish jumped on a dotted eight,
a mallard silently glides by,
dew drops glisten on new grass.

Multo lento

The bench is still there,
by the tranquil waters.
Still there,
since that early spring morning,
one very much like this one,
when she lifted her gaze,
and she first saw his face.

Allegro non troppo

C'est le printemps! Le jardin est enchanté!
She abandoned her book on the bench,
it’s been her excuse, any way.
This is the place where they meet,
away from curious eyes,
away from noise and idle talk.
Here, the scent of gardenias
soothes the air, sunlight filters
through the weeping willows,
and their hearts birth a rhyme.
They walk briskly,
from opposite sides of the lake,
her hair is swept by the breeze,
they rush the last few steps,
they meet,
they touch,
they kiss.

Stacatto

Summer; come and gone.
The bench; she sits and waits.
The book -- she’s read; twice.
Fog covers the lake.
The catfish rest.
Green turned yellow underfoot.
They said in town,
he had another’s hand.

Moderatto e con multo sentimento

The bench, weather-beaten,
still there by the lake
where she sits, now holding
a different book in her hand.
She abandoned the old one,
She knew the unfinished rhymes
by heart.

It is spring, just like that one
of many years ago.
But the waterfall sings a different song,
and the colors, still sapphire
and lavender pink have matured
to deeper, richer hues;
the sun no longer yellow –
it’s gold.

She abandoned her book on the bench,
it’s been an excuse, any way.
Two figures come walking
from the other side of the lake.
A different face – she smiles.
She doesn’t run to them –
no need to; she walks.
They rush the last few steps,
they meet,
they touch,
they kiss.

One she calls husband,
the other, son.

Carmen Ruggero .2004