Inspired

A young girl approaches. She is tall for her age, thin, w/ blonde ringlets flowing onto her shoulders. She has bright blue eyes, clear and open, unjaded by the bitterness of what is to come. She is me, many years ago, so long ago I cannot remember what it is like to be her. She approaches and asks, ‘why? why did you leave?’, and looks up at me expectantly. I look down at her, and knowing what is to come, I want to wrap my arms around her and hold her, shielding her and also wanting to be her, so young and innocent. She asks again quizzically, ‘why?’ I do not have an answer. I search my mind, an empty caverness, but nothing. I look deep into her eyes and tell her, ‘I don’t know.’ Her eyes drop in sadness and she looks down toward the ground. I bow down to meet her gaze and ask her, ‘what is like to be lifted, to be held, to be loved?’ She looks up, meeting my eyes and smiles wide. ‘It is wonderful!’, she proclaims, pulling her arms out wide and lifting her chest to the sky as she twirls around. She twirls in circles as the sun brightens and I begin to loose her shape. Then, the sun begins to dim and the landscape comes into focus. I realize I am alone again and a light wind gently kisses my skin. ‘No, I am not alone’, I tell myself. She is with me... and I see her smile everywhere.