Fly

“It’s time”, the whisper reaches your ear. ‘Yes’, you agree, ‘it is’. As you close your eyes, memories flood into your mind; images of the injuries, the fall, the accident. ‘No’ you tell yourself, and you banish the thoughts. You open your eyes.

The wind touches you lightly, beckoning you. You answer with a soft call. You would do this. You HAD to. Inhaling deeply, you make your way out of the wavering shadows of the leaves to the edge of the branch.

The moment you step out of the darkness, the moonlight touches you, in a sort of encouraging, silver blessing. The moon smiles at you, like a gentle, glowing girl, and you feel more confident. You have a friend.

You gaze into the distance, into the future, into the past. The sky lies before you: deep, clear, and infinite. The pinprick stars, like jewels give a warm, welcoming light.

You breathe deeply. You stretch your wings out to feel the breeze blowing in, and fluttering your feathers. This was what had happened last time too, but it had not ended with good results. What were the guarantees this time? None. You were being foolish...

NO! You wouldn’t let that voice taunt you. Not if the fate of the world depended on it.

So now, with a rebellious, yet fearing, determination, you stretched your wings again, and concentrate. The breeze is more timid and hesitant this time, as if to fear you. ‘Come!’ you call sharply. Then, realizing your own fear and aggressiveness, you relax, and the breeze snakes around you lovingly. ‘Carry me’

The wind obliges and instantly the leaves are rustling harder and harder. You realize what is happening, and prepare for your next move. Feeling the helpful boost of air, you take off without second thoughts. You’ve done this before, yet, somehow, you’re nervous. But there’s nothing you can do about it now. You’re in the present.

The air relaxes slightly and all of a sudden, and you’re caught in a fall - unable to hold yourself, until you muster your courage for a risk, and with great determination, pull yourself out of the fall.

That was risky. And scary. But it was instinct. And your dive had been superb.

You try again, this time more carefully, and use your wings for support instead of the wind. Flapping, you go higher, and higher into the blue sky, until you are stable, before gliding. You are not as reckless, but somewhere in the middle, you forget and swoop into a fabulous dive. You are soaring into your hopes and dreams. This was the first time that you were flying for so long, and you absolutely adored it. This was amazing, and wonderful. Oh! It was just magic! You can’t hold your happiness anymore, so you let free of all your emotions. You fly, and fly, and fly.

But suddenly, time catches up and you’re feeling a little tired, just slightly, but tired nonetheless. So gasping, you lean in carefully downwards, until you are hovering right above your branch. And slowly, slowly you set your feet down.

You had had an adventure, such a blast!

And tomorrow would be another one.

But you could wait till then.

Step by step, you make your way back into the darkness, and into your dreams.