Sunset In Wilmington

Written Spring 2005

 

The air is dense and heavy, like a steamy bathroom after a long, hot shower.

I move through it gently.

I stroll past the tiny shops filled with crisp, new clothes, hand-made crafts, and vibrant beaded necklaces.

I peer into the quaint cafés that smell of syrupy sweet desserts, and pasta with cream sauce and garlic bread.

Yet the potent, musty scent of the river pervades the whole of downtown; a right turn onto Main Street brings the water into view.

Laughter is everywhere.

It drifts out from the ice cream shop and somewhere I hear music lilting through the street from bars and clubs preparing for nightfall.

The town is coming to life with each dimming moment.

Ahead of me, horse-drawn carriages clip-clop across Water Street, their hooves beating out the percussion to the tune in the air.

I cross the street behind them, ambling over the cobblestones that cover the old river bed.

Finally, I reach the creaky boardwalk, the front porch to the water.

The beauty of the river takes my breath as the blazing sun is just setting over the trees. 

Muddy glass, the water extends as far as I can see. The clouds look painted above it; a stained glass window in a cathedral sky.

Somewhere else the world is raging, but here I can pause;

There is only the musty river and the radiant sunset.

Reviews

[Everchanging Disaster]

Wow...I have never been to Wilmington...but thank you for taking me. (Not kidding-I feel like I just got back from vacation)