Friday, February 20, 2004

Dark Angel

Sometime in the mid-nineties I stumbled across the new county park located about 1 mile outside of town.  I was going to start running again after several years of retirement.  I could not believe my luck.  It was at one time a large farm, and now it was about 50 acres fenced off for our use.  There are rolling hills, a stream that passes through, a barn, beautiful fields that are filled with queen annes lace and honeysuckle, goldenrod and purple flowers in springtime.

I love it and have been running cross country there for years.  It was my secluded private joy.  Then the people began coming.  I had to learn to share. 

About four years ago I began to notice a black jeep that would pull up along side the service road, under the trees and just sit.  It was creepy.  I memorized the license plate just in case something happened.  The whole thing made me nervous.

After a while, he began to emerge from the jeep and do a series of jumping jacks,push-ups, and some fancy kung-fu moves. Finally he would run.

I began to expect him, and look for him.  I felt him a benevolent presence at the park, as if he were watching over things, keeping us safe.  I began to think of him as "The Dark Angel" because of his black sweat pants, black t-shirt, black jeep.

He stopped coming last year.  The park is totally over run now with dog walkers, nature strollers, and the whole highschool and middle school male and female cross country teams.  It has become crowded. 

He was there last night.  I smiled at him, I know his name is Glenn.  I felt safe again now that Dark Angel had returned.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that you were thinking safty first and that it turned out to be a safe haven. Yes, Pisces are dreamers, gee, I wish just a few of them would come to reality hahaha HUgs Lanny

Anonymous said...

Kinda creepy but in a good way. Glenn the Dark Angel, as opposed to Glenda the Good Witch. Teeheehee ;-) ----Robbie

Anonymous said...

Cool. What at first felt threatening turned out to be benign ~ comforting even. It happens so often, and in so many small ways, we frequently forget to take notice. Isn't it nice that you did?! Thankyou for a lovely moment... :)

Anonymous said...

Nice. I like the contrasts between the Darkness and Light--the ironies between what appears safe and what is really safe.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this entry! Jae

Anonymous said...

Hello, I always enjoy visiting your Journal and see what you have written. Theres always something of interest to read. Thank you for sharing with me and your other readers and I will return often.

John G.

Anonymous said...

What a neat entry, A-woman. Great characterization! Dark Angel indeed.

Anonymous said...

Alpha...Will you meet?
Vince

Anonymous said...

Hi, Just stopped by to say I still enjoy reading your journal!

Hugs Beverly

Anonymous said...

Dark Angel sounds like me: Take a long time to decide to exercise, then try to look like a pro, give up; and after that, skip a year before I start again. : )

Anonymous said...

Great entry! Dont you just love how come to expect certain things...and when they arent there you realize you miss it? Ahh Glenn the Dark Angel. Sounds like a book to me! Thanks for your comments at my journal...Now I have a new one to read! yay! ~Shells

Anonymous said...

I often sit in my silver car in certain special locals to write in solitude. I wonder if I'm anyone's silver angel. Wouldn't that be nice? I really enjoy your journal.
~M

Anonymous said...

There are rolling hills, a stream that passes through, a barn, beautiful fields that are filled with queen annes lace and honeysuckle, goldenrod and purple flowers in springtime.

OMG... that's the most beautiful sentence I've read all week. REALLY! And I'm glad your Dark Angel has returned. It's interesting how familiarity can create such an emotion in you. Now maybe your park won't be so crowded. :)

Anonymous said...

The park sounds beautiful. I've never tried to run (I have weak ankles), but I think part of the allure are the friendships you make when you do. Runners are a dedicated bunch, and it's not unusual to see the same people keeping it up. I hope the park isn't too crowded, though it's obviously become very popular.