3 Views of Oxford from 3 Points of View

View 1: Student on the way to the Bodleian Library (down Parks Road)

I breathe in the crystal-thin morning air
Fresh breeze and shy sunshine by layer
The grey sky above is a slate wiped clean
It inspires thought and jolly adventure

Down the lane, the brick houses peer
Through windows winking with cheer
My boots crunch the gold, dried leaves
Breaking through the suspended clear

I’m at the main road just as the world stirs
The bicycles clack and cars swish, whir
Then the rain falls, slowly at first
Stones turn a mosaic pattern

Cobblestones, spotted and smooth
To their own rhythm they ebb and move
The road curves in dappled shadow
Trees wave; orange and red duel

Ivy crawls the stone walls
The air smells crisply of fall
The lane is dotted with red-paned booths,
And in the distance, spires stretch tall

I've almost reached the edge of town
And the library ahead seems to say aloud,
“Enter these doors as so many before,
Let a plethora of wisdom abound.”



View 2: Older Woman walking in University Parks

The breeze holds a chill, but the warmth of the sun still clings. Slowly, she makes her way across the uneven grass. Her cane prods the clots of soft ground in front of her, gingerly testing. She makes her way to her favorite bench, right at the edge of the pond. The water laps against its muddy shore, and ducks cause lazy rings across the pond's surface. The maple tree behind her casts polk-a-dot shadows, shading her face from the mellow afternoon sun. Across the pond, the meadow, and over the small rivers and bridges, she sees the spires of Oxford peaking above the autumn line of trees. In the stillness of the afternoon, a child's laughter wafts by airily. She can see a little boy picnicking with his mum under the fir tree down the pathway. He is collecting his sandwich crusts to feed to the ducks later, happily chatting to no one in particular. And so, she smiles, tilting her head to catch a ray of sun as it filters fragile warmth through the maple leaves. The clock tower begins to chime in the distance. Four soft rings calling from the town centre. She's breathing in the mustiness of dried leaves and newly-mowed grass...she's listening to the child's giggles and the duck calls... she's gently snoring as she dozes off.


View 3: Dialogue (One-Sided) of a woman walking down Cornmarket Street with a friend

“Goodness! It’s so busy down on Cornmarket tonight! Look at that mob! Such an awful lot of heads bobbing about. Just look at that, dear! Why’d Susanne choose this pub again? Oh yes, that’s right. We like this one. Very cozy, great wine selection. Yes, yes I do remember now. We should hurry so she won’t be waiting on us.
Whew, feel that wind. The minute the sun starts going down it does get chilly doesn’t it? I’m so glad I grabbed my raincoat. It looks like we might see a little rain later...
Oh! Oh my goodness! That boy almost got ran over by that car! Scared me half to death! Those bicyclists take their own life into their hands, that’s for certain. I would not want to witness that collision. It’s just so hectic around here, how do these drivers stop from killing people on their way home?
Yes, yes I suppose you’re right. One becomes good at anything if they do it enough. This crosswalk is certainly taking forever to turn green.
Oh, here we go! Come along dear, don’t get lost in the crowd. I do hope that Jim puts the kiddies to bed on time; they have school tomorrow, you know.
Will you look at those scarves! Such bright, beautiful colors, aren’t they? I know, I love them too. I have a positive weakness for them actually. They’re such a temptation when they are sold right on the street. I’ve bought...well I won’t tell you how many scarves I own. It’s a ridiculous amount I assure you.
Oh, listen to that guitar. It’s a nice little tune actually. Some of the street performers along here are quite odd. Yes, I’ve seen the dancer as well. It does add color the city, I’ll give you that. Have you seen the violinist who plays on a tight rope? It’s really the craziest thing...
No thank you sir, not tonight. Why do they call it "Big Issue," dear? Do you know? Well yes, I see.
Come along, dear. We’re almost there. Look at that group of kids, just hanging around that bench. I hope that girl isn’t smoking, though I wouldn’t be surprised. Yes, she is! I could smell it as we walked by. Not good for her poor lungs. It almost looks like we are smoking too; it’s cold enough to see your breath in front of you.
Excuse us, excuse us! Sometimes you have to push a bit, you know? Oh finally, here we are at last! I’m so looking forward to a warm room to relax in. Look, I see Susanne ordering her merlot at the bar. Come along, dear.