It is a beautiful evening. The sun has just set, stretching the last of its pale and fragile rays over the darkening skies. The last of the birds sail gracefully into the darkness, back to their nes---

'Not good enough! Time and time again, why must you do so badly?'

So, you think that's bad? I am never good enough, nor will I ever be.

...their nests. The meadow stretches out before me, silent, waiting, understanding without words. A fair and gentle lady, kind, with smiling eyes; having been through many ages, and seen many men fall. She watches me, a weary smile on her fac--

'Come on, surely you can do better! Just a bit more..everyone else in class managed it!'

Then accept that I can't do better.

..her face. She watches, and waits. She does not push me. I stand nearby, glad of her presence, watching and tracing her pale green gown, not saying anything, yet.

The sky is a murky, dark blue. Soft, a blanket of rain, touching, caressing, sweeping my face. Silk sheets fall upon my shoulders, gentle, cool. They do not force me to contort my shoulders and fit into any given mould; no, they adjust to suit me--

'No, I don't care. You must. You will. You can. I don't care how tired you are.'

What if I told you I hated you?

Tendrils of grey mist creep over the meadow; the lady. It is beautiful, mystical, another land and time altogether. The silvery moonbeams shine down upon the land; little waterfalls dripping down from the sky, the nectar of stars drenching the earth. The mist dances, fleet-footed across the plains. Slim fairies in velvet dresses tiptoe across the sleeping crocuses, dancing, twirling to sweet music I cannot hear.

'I want you to do this in the future, you'll earn more money that way. You'll have a better life.'

But what if I don't want that better life?

I wish to walk amongst the dancing fairies and share in their joy. I wish to talk to the whispering, watching moon and tell her of my secrets. I wish to stroll amidst the fog, the rain, and lose myself.

But I cannot.

last - next