113th st / 111th st / 109th st

3.40 miles

i witnessed four bodies of water today: the pond in morningside park, draped by weeping willows; the north most lake of central park, teeming with fish and turtles; the east river, the rush of cars and a teal bridge; the hudson river, sunset.

wisps of summer have arrived. the steps of brownstones are occupied, music blasts from speakers, the ice cream truck tinkles, the parks are awash with picnics, tumbling babies, sunlight. i walked 113th street today, the street below my apartment, because they filmed mrs. marvelous maisel here the other day.

the sights and sounds of this brightly colored walk: two children walking backwards behind their mom; delivery bikers taking a quick break, chatting in spanish; a woman in business casual heading home; green green scrubs; a father carrying his dauther upstairs; dogs being walked; a birthday party; a distant trumpet; smoke climbing out of a window; smeared poop; a pup’s leash attached to a woman’s waist; thick braids and yellow crocs; brownstone stoop storefront stoop sitting music jamming; shaggy dog shaggy owner; a solo dinner and her book; engine revving; bicep; a gentleman carrying flowers; littered hand sanitizer; humming of peaches in georgia song; a baby boy peeing on a tree; a community garden; helicopter circling; a girl and her skateboard; ice cream truck tinkling; a kitty who stared right back at me; adults smoking in a childless playground; dead baby bird times two; a neighborhood cookout, grilling on the street; a picture perfect picnic basket on a central park hill; turtles!

i spent each day this week in lab, my first time working in the city full time, telling myself that i would take a walk when i got off work. but i underestimated the tiredness that comes with a full day after a few weeks of slacking off. my ankle has been bothering me, and mostly being on my feet has not helped.

as i walked, the soreness in my foot seemed to disappear, a metaphor for spring awakening?

the city is waking up as anxieties ease, perhaps too soon, yet it is joyous. i passed by a couple in harlem: “honey, not everybody is not wearing masks, it’s only been one day.” “sweetieee.”

my ankle started hurting again near the end of the walk.