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This is a story based on a real life experience I had.
"This is disgusting."
Malani stood in the middle of what she assumed used to be a nice park beside the local lake. The whole place was completely trashed- graffiti was spray painted on the crumbling walls of tan old building; a wooden shed was toppled over, its wood moldy and decomposing; toilet paper was strewn everywhere, bits and pieces stuck in trees or wrapped around the small, rusty old jungle gym.
"It is a shame."
Malani heard glass crunch as a stranger stepped up behind her. She turned around to see an old man, his hair silver as a bullet, his face wrinkled, stooped over and leaning on a cane. His eyes held such a sadness that bore resemblance to the remorse of one who has lost something dear to him.
"I remember what this park used to be," he closed his eyes in memory. His voice shook, but whether from age or grief Malani could not tell. "The lake behind us, the one that's a muck yellow color, used to be such a radiant blue! And those rusty poles over there, they used to be swings. I remember when my whole family would come here for an afternoon picnic. Children laughing and playing all around us, the sun on my skin, the fresh breeze from the lake in my hair." There was a longing in his voice as he sighed. "Nothing but sweet memories of the past. No one cares for the park anymore. The children grew up to be adults who couldn't be bothered to take their children to the park. Instead lonesome teenagers destroyed the place." He turned to look up at the gray clouds above them. "If only it could go back to the way it was before."
"W-why doesn't anyone do anything?" Malani asked tentatively.
He laughed hoarsely. "A good question with no good answer. These days no one cares about what they do or how they treat their world. And my time here on this earth is almost up," the bitterness in his voice was apparent. Then he turned to me and his voice took a lighter tone. "But maybe it's not too late for you, kid. If you could get your friends to instead of wasting their lives in some video game or in the TV, come back here and use the park..."he trailed off. "If you can restore this park back to what it used to be, " he looked me in the eyes. "Well, if you can do that, then maybe there'll be hope for you after all."
Slowly, the man turned and walked away as the first drops of the coming storm fell on Malani's face. Only later would Malani realize she had never learned the name of the old man who had changed her life.
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Writer Profile
Haley
My name is Haley, and I love finding joy in the little aspects of life. Poetry isn't usually what I write- I'm more of a story kind of girl. But I figure that I'd try a bit of both. Writing is my way of expressing myself, and share my way of thinking with the world.
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Comments
Julie Gao | Oct 15th, 2012
Well written Haley :)
Aneela Shan | Nov 4th, 2012
"Hope After All" is very nice topic.....but for those people who have great courage.when all door are closed where hope will come.....!
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Disease Cure Aisha Kun | Feb 29th, 2020
Great Mother is Real... I am Aisha Kun and i want to testify about Great Mother how she cured me of hiv aids. I was diagnosed of this disease some time ago and i was worried. when i was searching the internet looking for a cure, i came across some testimonies of Great Mother how she has helped a lot of people and i decided to contact her on her info and explained to her. She laughed and told me that she will help me and i was surprised. She sent me the cure and it was a spiritual holy oil and water which is more than a medicine. She directed me on how to take it and i did. I took the cure for 3 weeks and i went to the doctor for check up and to my greatest surprise the disease was no longer in my system. I am so glad and i want to thank Great Mother for helping me. Contact her now on her email: Greatmotherofsolutiontemple1@yahoo.com you can also reach her on her whatsapp number +17025514367. If you have any disease, she can help you. Contact her now
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