Fort Greene Park

Behind the Painting

Fort Greene Park was full this weekend. I walked up the stone steps of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument. I passed through a cookout, smoke and music filtered through the branches of a tall tree. I took off my shoes and sat down in the grass. Cyclists slept beside their bikes. Dogs rested beside their owners. Kids played soccer on a patch of dirt. College students recalled last night’s party. I finished one painting, one orange soda and one chopped cheese sandwich. I saw two gray parrots with red tail feathers perched on a park bench.