Puddles

I step out onto the wet streets. The rain had just stopped and I take in the refreshing damp smell. Though typically it would smell of gas and dirt and smoke, the air smells so clean and grassy, as though it had come all the way from the countryside just to greet me. Thoughts of childhood pass through my mind, and a grin slowly creeps up onto my face. I make sure my phone and wallet are secure in my coat pockets and I skip into the nearest giant puddle. I feel my legs spring up and down and kick all over. Even though people stare at me as though I was a lunatic, I simply ignore them and laugh. Soon, a nearby homeless person comes up. I stop for a moment, but then I smile and say to him:

“Come join me!” And so he does.

His actions are shy at first, kicking a little splash here and there, but then he jumps and I could see him share the same look that I have. We jump and skip and laugh with glee, as though we were children once again. In that moment, nothing could hold us down, the world couldn’t hold us down. We’re dancing as though all our life’s problems are gone. Soon, a street performer comes by, with a large boombox and a plastic raincoat. She looks at us, plays some music and smiles softly, but only watches. I clasp her free hand point at the puddle. I smile and say to her:

“Come join us!” And so she does.

She sets down the boombox to the side in a spot where she could make sure she could see it and places the raincoat over it, and she immediately jumps in. Her moves are brisk and clear. With her powerful legs, her soaked pant legs kick up water droplets and creates rain anew. Her chest rises up and down heavily, and her face looks as though she had just realized a brand new hobby, an old passion. She flips onto her hands and spins as though she were a ballerina. Her legs are bent, water is flying from them like birds. When she finishes and stands with her own two feet, She realises that a crowd has gathered and applauds. She grins and lets out a sob, tears wetting her eyes. Soon, more people approach the puddle, and to each and everyone one of them, I smile and say:

“Come join us!” And they all do.