Moments in the Park
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Appreciation

The phrase Moments in the Park was originally used to describe short prose poems inspired by observations on walks through Horton Park and other outdoor spaces. Throughout 2016, I crafted Moments in the Park as a daily practice. I have continued to write Moments in the Park, just not as frequently as that first year.
Here you will find the prose poems as well as expansions telling the story of the inspiration, reflecting on a related theme, or digging deeper into learning about the subject.
I also hope that you will be inspired to create your own Moments in the Park, in words, images, sound, or whatever medium suits you. If you would like to share your creations, I would be happy to post them!
Share Your Moments

Moments: June 2018

2/2/2019

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While I was on hiatus for the latter half of 2018, I was still composing moments here and there. I just didn't have time to prepare them and get them posted. I plan to catch up over the next few weeks with monthly installments, working forward from June.

​June 25, 6:45 a.m.
A surprise shower sprinkles the pavement with Dalmatian spots.
​Pierce Butler Route ​

​​June 27
, 7:00 a.m.
In a fantastic feat of atmospheric prestidigitation, with nothing more than air and water, downtown Minneapolis disappears. 
Transfer Avenue
June 30, 3:45 p.m.
A swallow’s sharp wings slice across shimmering steel clouds.
My back yard
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Moment: April 20, 2018, 7:30 a.m.

4/20/2018

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Like a sparse but supportive crowd along a race route, territorially spaced cardinals cheer along my bike ride.
University of Minnesota Transitway
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Moment: November 27, 2017, 7:00 a.m.

11/29/2017

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Reflective surfaces lit by flame-bright sun breaking over the horizon, the Minneapolis skyline becomes a distant beacon fire marking my destination.
Transfer Rd.
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Moment: November 29, 2017, 6:45 a.m.

11/29/2017

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On a partially frozen pond, sleeping ducks gather at the edge of the ice, like beads woven into a lacy fringe.
Pond north of Pierce Butler Route
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Moment: September 12, 2017, 7:00 a.m.

9/12/2017

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Grapevines tumbling down a wall chatter with the morning conversation of dozens of sparrows hidden in their leaves.
Dinkytown Greenway
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Moment: September 1, 2017, 7:00 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

9/1/2017

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A peachy haze draws out sunrise, painting the sun a rich orange ball until it is high in the sky, and seems to linger through the day on the tops of trees beginning to color.
Pierce Butler Route and U of M West Bank softball fields
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Avian Breakfast Battle

5/3/2017

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Soaring bald eagle
On my ride in to work this morning my legs were tired. Yesterday was my first ride after an almost two week hiatus due to vacation and bad weather, and it was a blustery ride into the wind. Feeling that today, I had been riding with my head down, just pushing the pedals. But halfway down the transitway between the U of M St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses, I looked up. In the sky a thousand feet or so ahead of me, a bald eagle was swooping and diving, twisting its giant outspread wings, trying to shake a pair of crows. The three continued their maneuvers, dipping down toward the ground, then flapping up again, as I continued riding. I soon spotted the object of contention - a plump rabbit, apparently recently struck by a bus and lying on the pavement. As I neared to within a couple hundred feet, the eagle managed to land briefly, its impressive bulk covering the rabbit and perhaps snatching a morsel, before lifting off and away as I approached. 
I wonder if they thought I was some large and fearsome beast come to dash their hopes of breakfast. I hope they returned and fed well after I was gone.

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Moment: Feb. 21, 2017, 7:00 a.m.

2/21/2017

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Utterly enveloped, I float suspended above the Mississippi, neither bank visible through the river-born fog.

Bridge 9, between Banks, University of Minnesota
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    Picture

    Tracy Kugler

    Finding nature's beauty close to home.

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