Goodness, it's hot! Such a warm mornin' means a scorchin' afternoon, it does. It's nice though. The park's so relaxing. Been here since the sun came up, and it keeps gettin' better. If it weren't fer the heat. This walk's tirin' me out. Maybe I should just sit and rest on this bench a while.

I sit on this bench every day. Have been fer thirty years now. Me 'n' Annie, every mornin' we'd come to the park and feed the pigeons. Here they come now. All differ'nt colors this year. More of 'em, too. Sorry, no crumbs today; I must've forgot 'em.

Use to be Annie 'n' I'd come an' there were only eight 'r nine of ye'. You been doin' better fer yerself, I see. Ye' cover the lawn, now.

I 'member when Annie an' I went fer picnics on that lawn. Sometimes when it was short, but we had more fun when it was left to grow tall. She said the tall grass made it feel like our own separate meadow. Annie loved meadows, with deer, an' rabbits, an' crickets; said it made beautiful music in her ears. Annie ain't here here to come on picnics no more. I miss you, Annie.

'Member when we skipped school that day in June when we were kids? I took you rowin' on the river all day. Miss Parsons made sure our parents knew, but they'd a' known anyway 'cause we came back with sunburns an' wet clothes from the boat tippin'. I've loved you ever since that day, Annie.

How come you had to go so soon? That's the first thing I'm gonna ask about once I get there. Dear God, how come ye' had to take her from me so soon? How come I've had to live alone so long? I loved her more than anything, and then she was gone. Please Lord, take me soon, so I can have her again.

The boys're gone, haven't seen 'em fer a long time. Barely know 'em anymore, barely 'member em. Don't 'member much anymore. It's all I can do to 'member Annie. Couldn't bear to forget her. She's all I have fer fifty-two years. Annie an' the park.

Here come the park pigeons now. All differ'nt colors this year. Used to be, Annie an' me'd come here every mornin' to feed 'em. Look here friends, I found the crumbs in my pocket. Here ye' go. Goodness, it's hot this mornin'. Looks like this afternoon'll be a scorcher. The heat's wearin' me out. I've been walkin' quite a while. Maybe I should sit and rest on this bench a while.

For the man I saw walking one day