The Hill

I work overlooking the river at Richmond. It is beautiful. In front of the river is a short, sharp hill and for weeks now I have watched people go up and down it. Mainly on bikes.

All of humanity - its contrasts and its similarities, its triumphs and its failures - is here.

There are those who attack the hill and cruise up, and those who stay one paced and can barely rotate the pedal by the top. Those who get off and walk. Yesterday there was a baby who rhythmically hit his head on his baby seat as his Father vigorously rotated the pedals. He didn't seem to mind.

Today there were two men who walked down the hill together. Both had walking difficulties. They walked down so slowly and carefully, hand clasped in hand.

A moment of quiet dignity, unnoticed as the world rushed by.