A Soul Like My Own

The night is quiet yet so full of signs of life, of being, of strange elements that surround us as we breathe on. I can just hear the wind though; no crickets chirping, no children playing night cricket matches, not even the occasional car honking. If I close my eyes for a few minutes like I just did, I can hear my thoughts very clearly. So many of them, most of them with a question mark! So I let myself be. I live in the moment, savouring it, or at least I try. I revel in the quiet that the night brings. I try to be as grateful as I can be for the one who brought light in my life when all I could see around me were dark clouds. And I bask in the memories of rare moments that make me feel more alive than it ever seemed possible. I am scared to open my eyes for the fear of losing the beautifully embedded moments behind the veils of my eyes - my tears treated like precious gems, collected lovingly in the palms of a soul so like my own; my whispers that once were unheard, now tuned into a melodious song by a heart throbbing close to my own; my hair brushed away gently from my face with the grace of silent breeze. 734 days of my life, still with no clear path in sight, yet strolling down under the shade of lush green trees taking me to a land I am not familiar with, yet I can hear faint music coming from a faraway place that awaits me with open arms.

But then there is utter confusion; I wonder what will become of the trail that is a straight path down to the meadows fragrant with dainty blooms. I was headed there, leaving the uncertainty behind; I knew the sun shone brighter there, the lake awaits me so I can sit beside it soaking my feet in the cool water. But it all seems so distant now. The Pied Piper plays a tune that captures my heart as it always has. I look back one last time at the meadow that spreads its arms urging me to stay on. I feel a sharp stab in my heart, guilt emerging at the abandonment. I cannot possibly abandon what has given me shelter and solace. I look longingly at the shadow of the faraway place, my heart now singing the same melody that the Pied Piper played. And then it comes to me! I rip a piece of my heart, embellish it with the best of what I had in me and bury it under the shade of a tree as my everlasting love for the meadow, planting my affection, gratitude and burying my special song that would continue to enchant for many years to come. I gather what is left of me and take the path unknown, following the music, leaving behind everything that I had, my heart now ripped to pieces, my soul battered and bruised, my pride wounded beyond repair, but I carry on with my journey in the hope of capturing the music with my love, not knowing that mine are not the only two feet taking steps to that land.....