Purpose

I caught sight of you mending your fences
a rattling can of spray paint
covering up perceived damage.
You were surrounded by the signs
of a happy life
right down to the swing in the tree
and the wooden cut-outs
of a boy
and a girl
enjoying themselves permanently
waiting for a real live child
to take to the empty swing
my head pivoted slowly
and my gait never stalled
as I continued to marvel
at your small paradise,
I'm quite sure
I never entered
your head.