Parkers

Who’s occupying those vehicles parked in a fan-shape in the cul-de-sac overlooking a famous, local beach?  The spattering of vehicles made up of campers, pickups and sedans, occupy the spaces with windows darkened not unlike the approaching night.  Several of the vehicles are backed into their spaces, the tailgate lowered on a pickup truck giving an unobstructed view.  Are they there to watch the sunset?  Are they there because they have no place to go… until they must move along, since the sign says: “No Parking after 1 AM?”  

Are some of them part of the safe parking program which allows homeless who live in their vehicles a no hassle place to stay, the last step before the streets?  The camper looks familiar:  it’s been parked there before, now that the beach parking lot has yellow tape across its entrance!  (But you can park on the street: go figure.)

It’s not quite a lover’s lane or make-out point!  There is no solitude at the end of the street as cars jockey for an empty space when one leaves; some couples might be hoping no one looks in!   They can close their eyes and dream that they are in a special place instead of being part of poor city planning.

 But it is all quiet: no motors running, no jam box booming, and no creepers creeping.  Everyone stays in their vehicle, social distancing, I guess.   Are they watching?  Look, look, the sky is constantly changing its hue, from royal purple to midnight blue, with a racing stripe of reddish orange painted between the wet horizon and the closing sky. Are they noticing?   

Do you ever get tired a seeing the setting sun?  Did you see your sunset go down beyond the mountain?  Or through a forest? Or maybe over a farmer’s field.  Or behind a cold high rise in an urban jungle? That same sun I see is the one you see:  I see mine over a distant horizon, at the end of the ocean, sometimes culminating in a green wink!  It signals the end of the day which passes on time and gives me a since of gratitude for what’s happening in front of me. 

And then it happens:  Brake lights!  A second ago there was darkness; now the colors that match the sky illuminate the area.  From brake lights!  Is the car rolling forward?  Was it a mistake to hit the brakes?  Is the car readying to leave?  Who knows…?  (I didn’t stay around to find out because I didn’t want to get a ticket for watching the sun set!)