A Bee Hive in Spring Time

It was once a neglected dusty lot that slowly evolved into an area reminiscent of a big city nestled into the center of Petaluma. Across from the movie theater that bustles with life like a bee hive in the spring time lays a fountain covered with faces that depict the unique people that inhabit the town. The fountain within this once unwanted space has water flowing gently in a continuous motion; faces that stick to the walls keep the same unusual expressions; pennies that drown to the bottom as wishes bear upon them. The bright colors from the candy store contrast with the deep reds and grays from the wine bar sitting next door. Large windows displaying shoes, toys, candy, and food contribute to a society devoted to drilling advertisements into the brains of young generations. Obnoxious colors of sale signs bring life to the dreary colored stores that line the grey cobblestone walk way. A sweet aroma from Powell’s engulf the outdoor patio as the sound of “Willy Wonka” emanate from the open doors of the store.

The new dimly lit restaurant emits sound of forks hitting plates like a drummer tapping randomly on the rim of the snare drum. Loud conversations that are mostly filled with awkward small talk can be heard from outside. The candy store floods with people as they not only enjoy the treats but the atmosphere that evokes a child-like quality. A young child and mother walk by, the sweet smell of Powell’s entice the child senses as he cries and demands that they go inside for an afternoon delight. A dusty rose color coats the sky and the sense of day slowly begins to fade into the vivacity of night. The trees that line the square have lost their vibrant fall leaves to the bitterness of winter as vast amounts of gum cover the branches of the tree next to the candy store. Store shops begin to close forcing the sale signs to become less visible, repressing the sense of an advertising society and creating an energetic culture. A black table sits unevenly on the ground; the restaurants slowly fill as deep blue paints the sky. Small stars twinkle as though the heavens are shining flashlights on the liveliness of the square. The predominant faces slowly fade into the black only being displayed by the dimmed light emitting from the water.

A slight chill of night covers the warmth of day as a group of teenagers exit the movie theater, talking about how disappointing the movie was. A group of people walk along the outer rim that separated the green tinted water to the smooth concrete base of the fountain, as a security guard forcefully makes them leave. Taking away the childish sprit and bringing in a harsh, demanding essence that is as cold as the water inside the fountain. The shiny black benches fade into the back round of the night. The trees next to the wine bar sparkle with lights wrapped around the trunk and the branches slightly illuminating the clear colored lollipops that lined the open doors of Powell’s.

The difference between the day and night resembles the change from childhood to becoming an adult. The unique faces stuck to the fountain, and the bright colors in the windows of the shops are whimsical and child like. Once the faces are only illuminated by the light from the water and the brightly colored signs hide in the darkness the square becomes harsher and less care free. The modern theater square has an essence of the old town of Petaluma. The buildings have a contemporary style where as the cobblestone path ways and brick archways are reminiscent to what the town once was.

Samira