NEPHART.COM

Sometimes
when I sit somewhere
and begin to wonder

the very place beneath me
might be part of history

a great person
may once have sat here

someone renowned
or someone whose name
was never written anywhere

they may have dreamed
of doing something meaningful

something humane
something for the country
something for the community

a deeply patriotic person
a kind and compassionate soul
may have rested
in this exact place

and suddenly
I feel lighter

my heart rises
like a hot air balloon
into a sky painted
with historic figures
forts
castles
and countless wars

but history is not only made
by kings
soldiers
or famous names

a simple farmer
may once have stood here

someone who served the community
by growing crops

someone who moved quietly
through the world
yet still made it
a little better

someone hardworking
someone who cared for a family
and lived with kindness

whoever walked upon this land
whoever rested here
may have carried goodness
within them

and that thought alone
is enough to make me smile

I may never leave behind
a monument
a statue
or a name in a book

but I can leave
a little kindness
a little peace
for the next person
who sits here

then I rise from the rock

from there
I can see every kind of wave
striking against the shore

the water reaches the stone
then gently touches my feet

as though the place itself
has heard my thoughts

and wishes
to remember me too