Sanctuary

~~ I arrived on that hot July afternoon, spirit broken, dreams shattered. Numb from the pain left by years of physical abuse and neglected feelings, in need of a place to lick my wounds and heal. I lay in bed that night, sobbing uncontrollably into a pillow. Sleep finally came. Morning arrives, and I walk to the window to take my first look at a fresh new world. A deer emerges from the woods beyond the pole barn, to graze upon crops planted in long perfect rows trailing off into the horizon. My mind begins to calm. Wandering outside to the corral, I sat on the ground 'indian style' watching as the goats playfully challenged each other, amused at their utter disregard of my presence there. I filled my lungs with fresh air, warm and sweetened by meadows filled with wildflowers. My body relaxed. Walking through the moist soil under row after row of bean crop, I came across a path leading deep into the woods lined with elderberry trees and wild raspberry bushes. Fingers and mouth stained as I picked and ate, leaving little behind for those that dwell there. I filled with content. Evening finds me sitting on the steps of the back porch staring at the fireflies performing their nocturnal ballet of lights. While crickets sound the heartbeat of the night, a soft breeze whispers its lullaby through the trees carrying with it the numbness and pain inside me. I am at peace. As I look at that solitary hundred year old farm house standing steadfast, enduring years of warm summers, and the cold harshness of winters, yet still erect and proud, I am reminded of why I came. I had lost my endurance, my feeling, my reason, my very soul. I came in search of myself, and you offered me - sanctuary. ~~For Sundog...the truest of friends, you will always share space in my heart. Written November 24th, 2001 © on Nov 25 2001 07:53 AM PST, Mad Moon   0 • 18 • 10