AUGUST

AUGUST
 
This is not the beginning of my story.  Nor is it the end.  Life is a ramble, and on this particular section of path none of us can see around the next bend.  Life is uncertain.  We are on a quest for truth and freedom, asking ourselves “Why am I here?” and "What can I do to effect some positive change?"

Me?  I walk.  Everyday.  Sometimes I invite friends to join me, and if nobody shows up, I take a sole journey.  Or perhaps a “soul journey”?  Whatever you call it, I find getting outside and walking to be my source of solace and inspiration.  Walking allows me the time to wonder and ponder, or to engage in spontaneous discussions with others, and/or the time to explore new places, new ideas, and maybe some sound solutions.

The most recent stretch of my path led me to Roger Williams and his philosophy of "Soul Liberty".  It began on a Wednesday morning, July 28.  I had invited a few friends to meet near the State House to take a walk along the Providence River.  I was the only walker to show up, so I set off on my own, down the steps into Water Place Park and around to the sunny side of the river.  I walked a few stair sets up and down the steps that led between the river and the street above to warm-up my thighs and quads, before heading on along the river.

At the Citizens Bank Plaza I veered away from the river onto Canal Street and then crossed over to beautiful Parkside and walked through the park to South Main.  At this point, I was struck with the urge to walk up College Hill and see if I could find Prospect Park.  I’d heard about the Roger Williams monument there, but had never actually seen it.  As I stood wondering which street to take up the hill, a car coming down South Court Street was able to guide me.  The license plate began with UP, followed by three numbers.  (I happen to be a faithful license plate reader.)

Sure enough, the road took me on up where I needed to go.  The statue is colossal!  The figure stands on a platform and is framed by a large arch that rises above and behind it.  The monument is surrounded by a cemetery style iron gate.  Williams looks out over the beautiful cityscape of Providence as if from the prow of a ship, right hand extended out in a gesture blessing Providence.  
  
From here you can only see the great statue from the backside.  As you stand next to it, and gawk at the expanse before you, you can hardly help but wonder...  What did the view look like back in the mid-1600’s?  What was Williams’ vision for this land?  What does the statue look like from the front?

I decided to venture down around the city block to the street below to find out.  I looked at my watch, and it was almost 8:40.  Just enough time to check out that angle of the monument before returning along the river route to my car. 

The view from the lower street, looking up that particular morning, was an unforgetable sight!  August!* The sun was positioned directly behind Williams’ head, creating a radiating halo.  I'd wished I had a camera. The arch framed his figure perfectly from that lower viewing angle, accentuating the size of the statue. My astrological timing was perfect!   Stunned, I could not take any other details.  I shared the spectacle with a woman who was passing by with her dog.

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We associate this time of the year with the zodiac of Leo the Lion, magnificent and majestic.