Finding a Romantic View

    During class, we were told to walk around campus until we found a view that felt romantic. The first place I thought of was the frog fountain. I like the way the sun hits the water as it falls from the tall metal structures into the circle below. The sky was light blue with a few clouds, and the sunlight made the water look bright as it splashed down. You could hear the steady sound of it hitting the surface, which made the area feel calm even though campus was still active around it. The bare tree branches and brick buildings in the background made it feel like winter, but the fountain added movement and life.

    After class, I walked toward the main campus. The wind had picked up, and I started to get annoyed. My hair kept blowing into my face, and I felt like I could not walk straight without it pushing against me. It is interesting how something that felt peaceful earlier suddenly became frustrating.

    As I kept walking, I noticed a large bed of pink and purple tulips (Tulipa species) planted near the entrance. They looked freshly planted and stood out against the dry grass. Even with the wind blowing, their stems stayed upright. Behind them, students were waiting at the crosswalk and cars were passing by, which made the flowers feel almost out of place but also refreshing. This walk made me realize that what feels romantic in nature depends on how I am experiencing it in that moment.