Overcast

the shadows disappeared all day the world flattened like a photograph and people seemed to move more slowly as if the cloud's depression followed them the air was warm but seemed unfriendly an old man was lost in foggy thought and did not tip his battered gray hat the cat sat on his mat where he always sat even the flowers turned to gray despair the weight of hopelessness bore down some gave way to thoughts of old betrayal regret is easily found on dreary days there was something in that ashen overcast a mystery to hide the sun and solemn truth until a muted sound like distant playful wind whispered with the din of children laughing