Sunday, February 19, 2017

Skateboarding on Thin Ice


So, it was a gorgeous sun soaked pre spring day and I took a long walk.  It seemed as if everybody was out and about.  I found myself in Washington Square Park on a bench. The promenade was warm and the trees provided shade.  There was no end to the cast of characters vying for attention, but one stood out.  
     
He had a skateboard and he wanted to show he knew how to use it. He wasn’t in the first blush of youth, or the second or the third.  He made a grand announcement that he would ride over one garbage pail.  Those around me barely paid attention.  Not even when he crashed.

He then made an announcement that he would attempt the very difficult feat of riding over two garbage pails.   Again, he crashed.  He didn’t appear to hurt himself because he would quickly pick himself up and make his next announcement.  Attention Ladies and Gentlemen - this time he would attempt the difficult feat of…. three garbage pails. The crowd around me started paying attention.  And, down he came. 

By his fourth announcement, the person sitting next to me (a stranger) and I were holding onto each other laughing so hard we had tears streaming down our faces.  Once again, the skateboarder didn’t fail to fail.  He scrambled up, and started again.

He didn’t seem to hurt himself.  Drunks and children, perhaps.  Though he never made any of the great leaps, or any leap, I have to admire the fact that he kept trying with bigger and bigger bravado. I do hope, however, that he gives up this form of entertainment.  Ah, the joys of a sunny Sunday.

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