The park's green still holds the color of daytime, but the shade under the trees has already settled into deep blue. Orange light has come on in three streetlamps standing along the path, and beneath them two people walk shoulder to shoulder. A wide lawn spreads out beside a person sitting on a bench, and the tips of the grass look as if they hold a lukewarm warmth.
Facing a scene like this, the gaze loosens into the distance and the muscles around the eyes ease a little. The focus that stayed close to a screen all day stretches out past the trees, and in that time the shoulders drop half a hand's width. The soles of the feet meet the firmness of the dirt path and the softness of the grass by turns.
During the day, the feeling that something has to be finished pushes the body forward. At the hour when the lights come on one by one, that push loosens a little.
Around sundown, try walking one loop near home. Without setting a destination, what about walking while counting the lights as they come on, one by one. Three minutes is enough to go to the end of the alley and back.
The same counting can be moved to a crosswalk. While waiting for the green light, instead of standing and looking only at your toes, follow the movement of the belly coming forward and going back in a couple of times. Whether the clothing shifts out shallowly or deeply, just watch that. When the signal changes, let go of the counting and simply cross.
On the way back, the sound of your steps will be a little lower than when you set out.
