园中漫步

          三月初华盛顿中部仍然是初春。信步公园，吹到脸上的晚风还有些凉，但是一池深蓝的湖水却丰沛充盈，很有些生命的讯息了。枝桠间的鸟儿呼朋唤友，湖上的几只鸭子结队前行。“春江水暖鸭先知，”一个新的春天悄然而至。一对夫妇在湖边垂钓，雪白的头发映着渐落的夕阳。

          此时的新闻如中国春节期间一样满是新冠肺炎的报道，往西一百英里的西雅图每天都有死亡病例，东邻的县也有了第一个病例。更有劝告老弱者闭户修养。可是这对夫妇却尽享二人世界的安详。我远远地摆手跟他们打了招呼。人生很长，也很短。很长，这样的天灾人祸每每会降临。很短，只要一个人的陪伴，再多的阴影也不过是风吹树梢的附和响应。

A Walk in the Park

          Early March in Central Washington saw the coming of the spring. I strolled in a park at dusk.  The Breeze was still chilly while the lake was dark blue, rich with life. Birds chirped to their fellows in trees. Several ducks swam together over the lake, quite a picture as described in a classical Chinese poem, “ducks are the messenger of the spring river warmth.” Another spring had landed here quietly. A couple were fishing by the lake, their silver hair shimmering against the setting sun.

          News around here were full of information about COVID-19, just as China a month and half before. Seattle, which was around 100 miles to the west, reported coronavirus-related deaths every day and our neighboring county to the east also had a confirmed diagnosis. Professionals advised the elderly and weak to stay at home. Yet, this couple seemed to be relaxed, enjoying the happiness of each other’s company. I waved “hello” to them from afar. Life can be long. It can also be short. Life is long due to the many ordeals we all have to endure. Life is short when the shadow becomes a pleasant whistle from the woods just because of a loved one’s company.