Cobblestone pathways adorned by verdant hedgerows and blossoming roses stretched for miles beyond the grounds of the university campus. The soft sounds of bubbling water slowly ebbed and flowed from a nearby, idyllic fountain. Carefully placed olive trees served as guideposts as one could easily find themselves lost within a labyrinth of pastel florets.

Hidden in plain sight, the Rosette Garden was a open secret for many university students planning the perfect escape from their dreary days. Despite the omnipresence of faculty staff both within and outside the academic walls, it was a effortless task to quickly disappear within the thick foliage and shrubbery of the garden.

Tucked away in a small copse of trees and hedgerows, it felt like hours but in reality was mere minutes as I relaxed for a moment of respite. Breathing in the fragrance and aromatics of the present, I exhaled deeply the worries of the past and turned my gaze toward the sky. Fluorescent clouds sailed across the horizon as the high-rise skyscrapers of the distant city glimmered in the daylight.

“It’s a beautiful day.” I thought to myself as I brushed off my worries and doubts and stood up, ready to head back to class.

Artist: Clyde Valentine