What were park benches made for? When one thinks of going to the park, it is of personal experience that one thinks of playing games, barbeques, exercise, walking the dog, and other such activities. Granted one needs to rest periodically throughout such events, and one most certainly sits down whilst enjoying a delicious picnic.
But are both purposes not served by the ever loved and appreciated picnic table? And is not the grass softer than wood to plop one's rump on? Most certainly the grass is better for laying and sprawling out, or for curling up amidst a lover's passionate embrace. One could argue that if the weather is particularly wet, then the grass will most certainly be as well. But would it not be the same for a park bench equally as exposed to the elements?
What, then, possessed some soul to believe that creating a bench specifically for the purpose of parks was a, "damn fine idea"?
Perhaps, dear reader, park benches were made as a sort of, "lookout point". Granted, they are not always placed in locations of great vantage--some are even hidden and provide a view of almost nothing--but they are always placed within eyesight of something. And therefore, they always provide the opportunity for some-such-thing to be observed. Sometimes for only a few minutes, other times for a few hours.
I ask you, dear reader, next time you are out, take a look around at the various benches in various places--for they do not always have to be parks--and take note of what you will see. Most likely the reader will see lonesome but somehow contented individuals, often with legs crossed perhaps a cigarette, pen, or camera in hand. Or perhaps all three.
And perhaps then one will begin to see the reason for which park benches were created: one of the most important things of all.
