Past

Past the friendly neighbour, who stood aside for me to ride through.

Past the mum sitting on the terrazzo bench, watching over her toddler, who was squatting to inspect something on the ground.

Past the patches of lawn, dappled by the rays of the sun, breaking through the branches of trees.

Past the weeping willow along the canal, swaying to the gentle tune sung by the morning breeze.

Past the kids, pushing off on the swings, shrieking with laughter.

Past the obese father, trying to keep up, jogging alongside his two energetic kids who were urging him on.

Past the practitioners of some familiar branch of qigong, huffing and punching away at the air.

Past the petal-strewn path, lined with flowering shrubs.

Past the startled fellow morning cyclist, when I made the sharp bend down the slope at speed.

Past the smiley golden retriever, its beautiful mane flowing behind it, as it brought its owner for a run along the canal.

Through the translucent veil of the morning mist, not yet evaporated by the heat of the morning sun.