Arch

by Bill Tiepelman

Arc of Harmony in the Park: A Symphony of Souls

As the sun dipped low, casting an amber glow across the expanse of Forest Park, a lone violinist found her place at the very heart where the trees whispered secrets of old St. Louis. Her dress, patterned with the intricate spirals of nature's design, seemed to merge with the tree from which her seat was carved. It was here, under the arching gateway to the west, that she cradled her violin—a bridge between the earth and the golden skies. Each stroke of her bow pulled the breath of the wind and the warmth of the last light into a melody that spoke of rivers winding through history, of bustling markets and quiet riverbanks, of laughter in the air and the clink of glasses toasting to the future. Her music rose in crescendos with the gentle rustling of leaves, each note a thread in the rich tapestry of the city. The arch, towering in the background, stood as a silent sentinel, its steely form softened by the scene. It listened, as if the music were etching stories into its steel—a symphony for the city it crowned. And as the final notes lingered in the air, blending with the twilight, it was as if time itself had paused to savor the Arc of Harmony in the Park. The violinist, named Elara, had a legacy as intertwined with the city as the cobblestone streets. Her ancestors had settled in St. Louis generations ago, their histories etched into the very sidewalks that wove through the park. With every song she played, she felt their experiences flow through her veins, her music a homage to their dreams and trials. As Elara's bow danced over the strings, it summoned not just sound, but soul. The air carried the aroma of distant dinners being prepared, the sizzle of spices marrying in a pan, and the sweet scent of Missouri's dogwood blossoms. The city's heartbeat was in tune with her rhythm, its pulse the undercurrent of her performance. Around her, the park's visitors slowed their pace, captivated. Joggers found a pace that matched the ebb and flow of her serenade. Children, with their unfiltered joy, ceased their games to lie on the grass, eyes closed, letting their imaginations take flight on the wings of her music. Elara played as if she could heal the fractures of a bustling city, the notes a salve to the daily grind. In her melody, the arch became more than a monument; it was a testament to progress, a companion in solitude, a canvas of shared memories for the countless who had gazed upon it. And as night approached, the park's nocturnal creatures stirred. Fireflies blinked into existence, a visual echo of the music, punctuating the darkness with their gentle light. They were like notes themselves, composing a visual symphony that mirrored Elara's own. The "Arc of Harmony in the Park" was not just an event—it was a living, breathing moment of connection. It was an affirmation that amidst the city's cacophony, there could be a melody that unified, that spoke to each individual and the collective soul of St. Louis.     Continuing the Symphony: The Legacy of a Night Under the Arch The resonance of the night’s performance found a new life in the artifacts that carried its memory. A local artist, moved by Elara's symphony, crafted a cross stitch pattern that captured the filigree of the trees against the setting sun, allowing needleworkers to stitch their own harmony into fabric. For those who preferred the clink of ice in a glass to the whisper of thread, the 20oz Tumbler became a vessel for reflection, its surface etched with the silhouette of the arch. As they sipped their favorite drinks, memories of melodies danced in their minds, a personal encore for the night that had passed. Offices across the city found a new addition with the "Arc of Harmony in the Park" Mouse Pad, turning each click and scroll into a reminder of the park’s tranquility, the quiet companion to the day’s labor. And on coffee tables, assembled piece by piece, the puzzle became a communal experience, families and friends coming together to piece together the scene of that magical evening. The story of the Arc of Harmony transcended the park, the music, and the arch. It became a narrative embraced by the city, immortalized in every stitch, sip, click, and puzzle piece. It was a tale told on walls, too, as the vibrant tapestry by Bill and Linda Tiepelman found its way into homes, its fabric a canvas for the park's story, inviting those who beheld it to remember—or to imagine—a night when music transformed the heart of St. Louis. Elara's concert under the arch was a moment in time, but its echo continues in the lives it touched and in the products that carry its legacy forward. Each item, like a note sustained beyond the breath that bore it, continues the melody of that night, drawing all who encounter them back to the Arc of Harmony in the Park.