dead body.
I saw a dead body on the way to work this morning. A homeless man. Piled on a bench like the pile of belongings in the cart next to him. This bench rests in the shadows of live oak and transplanted palm trees, next to the manmade lake with a decorative fountain surrounding the largest hospital in the county. A self-described Mediterranean style hospital, attracting patients from around the world. Replete with a tower, 297 beds, specialized wings for oncology, pediatric emergency, and it's very own surgical robot. One of three hospitals in the United States to use Memic Innovative Surgery's Hominis Surgical System, the first and only surgical robot with human shaped arms, a shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints. A non-profit hospital, owned by the church. "Extending the healing ministry of Christ. Rooted in faith. Forward in care."
I see this bench every day now. See athletic types resting on their daily constitutionals to enjoy the view. See them bend over to tie their shoes, unknowingly stepping on the final resting place for some unknown person in front of some unnamed fucking manmade lake.
I saw another body on the bench today. This time there was no police. No yellow tarp. No arm, limp and hanging. I imagine them asleep. I imagine the pile of belongings is someone else’s. I imagine that they aren’t cold or hungry. I imagine them enjoying the outdoors by choice, watching the sunlight play with the shadows of the live oak. The gentle splashing of the fountain reminding them of the stream they used to visit as a child.