Ina Coolbrith Park

As the clock strikes 10am Ana leaves her apartment wearing her red and blue tennis shoes and holding her favorite book in hand. Ina Coolbrith Park is only a couple of blocks away, though the only way to get there is to climb a 73 stairway. Ana takes the first step with a proud but subtle smile; then, she takes the second step and with that builds momentum. One, two, one, two. After some time goes by and some energy is spent, she reaches the top, where she sees San Francisco entirely, with all its wonders below her.

Ana then takes a seat in one of the green park benches to have discussions about life and death, freedom, loneliness and happiness with her dearest friend, Herman Hesse, through his well-known novel, Steppenwolf. She knows him very well even though they never met in person and, in fact, lived completely different epochs.

She opens the book on page 115: “You should not take people who are already dead seriously. We immortals don’t like that. We like joking. Seriousness is an accident of time. It consists of putting too high value on time. In eternity, however, there is no time; it is a mere moment, just long enough for a joke.” 

As she reads, she pictures herself laughing at life and not having a care in the world. 

What if I died and came back to life? I'm certain I'd spend less time pondering about my inevitable death, she tought.

A bright and endless field of clouds engulfs her. She and Hesse are standing behind a tall tree that casts a significant shadow. Ana has waited her whole life to have the real Hesse in front of her, but does not seem to know what to ask or where to start a conversation. Nervously, she yells out: What is death like?

Although Hesse never answers her question, she comes to realize something important. She does not need to meet the author in person because she already has something better, his story. Through his story she is able to know what he thinks is good, noble and beautiful; about death and the universe; and about why we are here.

A big whoosh of cold wind sweeps her hair and lifts her skirt. Would her tunnel be made of dark clouds or would it resemble a big well? It does not matter for she is beginning to feel that love, warmth, kindness, and unity are all she will feel at the end of her life.

Two men walking a dog bring Ana back to that green bench at Ina Coolbrith Park. One of them has the leash of the dog in his hand and the other is holding at least a dozen yellow balloons with happy faces on them. She believes the dog to be a Labrador but isn’t sure. As she looks further, she is able to see the Bay Bridge light up behind the trio. It's getting dark, perhaps a sign to start heading back home.

Before she leaves, Ana sees a brown garbage bag swinging up and down, playing with the wind. The two men are talking yada-yada-yada when the bag lands on the possibly-Labrador's face, who quickly reacts wagging his tale and barking. The two men don’t seem to notice or care, and Ana feels lucky to be the only spectator witnessing what she believes to be a beautiful scene.

Making a little dance in the air, the bag disappears from view for a moment. The dog calms down and then the bag returns to surprise him. Ana can’t help but smile and think of the great way her day has ended, with a joke, just as Hesse would’ve liked. She stands up and walks towards the stairs taking a closer look at the bag. It is filthy and slightly ripped.

By: Susana Toro