And she took his hand with a thrive for adventure as they danced through the shrubbery. Every time he spoke she smiled with such a force he couldn't help but return the gift. Light hugged their clothes as they swung above the tree tops, no one but the wind could catch their laughter. She sat down on the stump of wood thinking about him that morning. Wishing he was here to make her smile again...
And everyday since she allows the bruised sky to cocoon her in anger. Trees that spike the clouds with drunken attempts to damage dreams shake in the shadows. She hates them. They hold the embers of his endurance and pain. A pain which even a river of tears cannot erode away. For his smile etched deep in her heart, has twisted into a broken frown. She scratches at the bark with dirtied nails; her hair a tangle of mourning. She tries to peel away the memories that the leaves contain and drain away the happiness. Why don't they let her grieve? Why don't they turn brown under depression?
A tiny bird speckled white- as if pricked with stars- dances merrily between her toes. It stops and bows its head. Slowly. Before flying into a dappled path of morning sunlight.
It's only then she feels her own wings spreading. And she lets go.
- J
