A Sunday to Remember
By Arlene
Levin © 2019
It must have been Easter Weekend.
A 50 year old memory can be
a little clouded.
I thought it was closer to the summer.
I remember the weather warm, the sun shinning
as I walked through Central Park
on my way to the Sheep’s Meadow.
This was the afternoon of the first
New York City “Be-In”
March 26, 1967.
As I recall this gathering was the first big event
that kicked off the Summer of Love.
that kicked off the Summer of Love.
Started in San Francisco, it was a “hippie led”
free spirited equal and opposite
free spirited equal and opposite
reaction to the Viet Nam war.
This afternoon was before the hideous events
that crushed our spirit…
The assassination of Martin Luther King and Robert
Kennedy
The Brutal Democratic Convention August 1968
The Manson Family killings 1969
We were briefly revived August 1969
with the legendary Woodstock Music Festival,
with the legendary Woodstock Music Festival,
But the decade ended with the final nail in the
dream,
Death at The Rolling Stones Altamont Concert, Dec. 6
1969.
But this madness was not even a glimmer in my minds
eye
as I blissfully walked through the park
on this unexpectedly glorious Sunday afternoon.
on this unexpectedly glorious Sunday afternoon.
I walked past drum circles and solo guitarists
playing to small gatherings resting
on blankets and brightly coloured Indian throws.
playing to small gatherings resting
on blankets and brightly coloured Indian throws.
The attire of the day revolved around denim covered
with bright patches,
flowing skirts, peasant and Indian style tops and tie-dyed tee shirts.
There were lots of beads and handmade jewelery.
flowing skirts, peasant and Indian style tops and tie-dyed tee shirts.
There were lots of beads and handmade jewelery.
Young children raced around in various states of
undress.
I carried a string bag full of oranges,
each one bearing the word of the day "Be"!
Delighted, I approached with my tokens of peace and love.
Each orange passed hand to hand.
There was little conversation, just big smiles.
"Thank you man" he said
"Peace" motioned another with the 2 finger "V" sign
"Cool...thank you"
A dozen oranges, I had 1 left..
I approached a couple sitting on a picnic table.
I offered the orange with the message "Be"
.He smiled and gently passed it back to me saying "I am"
Stunned, I thought, "Be" "I am"
There wasn't anything more to say.
I took the orange and put it back in my bag.
I ate it later thinking
"Be...I am...
Perfect!"
Delighted, I approached with my tokens of peace and love.
Each orange passed hand to hand.
There was little conversation, just big smiles.
"Thank you man" he said
"Peace" motioned another with the 2 finger "V" sign
"Cool...thank you"
A dozen oranges, I had 1 left..
I approached a couple sitting on a picnic table.
I offered the orange with the message "Be"
.He smiled and gently passed it back to me saying "I am"
Stunned, I thought, "Be" "I am"
There wasn't anything more to say.
I took the orange and put it back in my bag.
I ate it later thinking
"Be...I am...
Perfect!"
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