Park Avenue

PARK AVENUE I came across Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida many years ago, where I flew for my work to examine a company for following its claims handling process, procedures and the insurance laws and regulations. While having lunch near the office, seated outside in one of the pricey eateries, we noticed this is a place of great affluence, for the ones with money. Probably from the north to the south of the Avenue. We noticed mothers dressed in designers clothes, carrying designer handbags, strolling their infants in expensive strollers while going in and out of high-end boutiques, looking, browsing or buying. We saw middle-aged women dressed elegantly, bejeweled with their big designer sunglasses having sumptuous lunch with their friends in luxurious cafes, showing off their jewelries. We decided to roam the Avenue from north to south one day after work to check it out, go to the Museum opened in the evening that day, dine and see a belly dance in a fancy restaurant. We saw trust fund babies having happy hour, hanging out or checking out posh boutiques. Well-dressed men having business meetings in ritzy restaurants, having cocktails or dinner. Women wearing couture dresses, attires or suits admiring the exhibits in the museum. Well-off families or affluent couples dining and watching the belly dancer, where we had dinner. If I want to live in fantasy, this is the place to be. If I want to forget all my troubles, forget all my cares, I will imagine this place, a place where you do not see poverty, homeless, destitute. Life can be a beach or a beef and when something turns a little bit beefy, this avenue is the place to think about for life is pretty beachy in this avenue. Imagining myself doing what ritzy people love to do. 9/9/21 The Avenue Poetry Julia Ward