A Summer Night.

A Summer Night In Old Hyde Park.

   I was in London. It was Sunday the seventh of July. It was hot and the sky was that perfect uninterrupted blue that is only seen on the best of summer days, accompanied by the gentlest of breezes. Hyde Park was bubbling with excitement, everyone getting in early to bag themselves the best view of the stage. At five foot two, I really needed to get a place early before a six foot four drag queen got installed in my line of view. I wasn’t about to give up this experience without a fight. I had waited almost forty years for this moment.

   Acts came and went, everyone was smiling, singing and enjoying themselves. There were snacks served from an array of stalls, food from around the globe. I took it all in, flavours, fragrance, textures and above all the sounds. My senses tingled as the bright blue sky gently faded into a pinky sunset. As the light began to leave the day the excitement grew.

   The stage went black. Then suddenly the lights came up and in bright pink she strode confidently to center stage, and it began. The screams rang out around the park, then that perfect solitary voice. “I don’t know why I’m frightened; I know my way around here. It’s not quite dark in old Hyde Park, but you’re here…”

   My evening with Barbra Streisand was everything I hoped it would be, and so much more.

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