The Abandoned Animal Hospital

Singed slabs of ply wood eclipsed every window and door, obscuring any view one might have into the dilapidated structure. Through the untamed brush, I could trace the weathered outlines of letters, their beige residue contrasting against the blue-grey grime of the crumbling shingles. "Animal Hospital" read the faint remnants, as above me, the sky began to disperse languid drops of rain onto the pavement below. The water pooled in its shallow obstructions, reflecting murky shadows of the quaint building in their tiny, nature-made windows like glimpses into moments too great for my fallible eyes. I reverted my gaze to the forlorn edifice, so seemingly dismal in its solitude, drained of all life and color to all those who paused to leer upon its ugliness. And yet, there was something of beauty therein, as my sights blackened the myriad of lights surrounding it, nullified the sounds of cars that hastily sped by. At once, I saw the building restored to its vivacious youth, its walls freshly painted and windows glistening in the pallid sun. A distant roar of voices, of dogs barking, of children laughing rang in my ears - delighted, enchanted me. But it was only an old, decrepit eyesore of a place, my mother said, as she hurried me away.