The Boy in the Meadow

I know more than anything that the air outside is cold, The bitter wind nips at my lips, And my breath soothes the night sky. I know more than anything I will have to return one day, I can't hide from the inevitable forever, Or else destiny would have it's way, And we wouldn't want that. If destiny had it's way, I wouldn't be here. ~~~~~~~ It is cold outside, Almost to the point of freezing, Maybe even colder. The stars shine more brightly than they ever have before, And the moon larger than it has ever dreamed to be. I walk down the solemn street, Past the curve and into the golden meadow. The tall grass swaying back and forth, As if signaling for me to come closer, Signaling that they may just have something to say. From behind me I hear the rustling of leaves and in the corner of the field by the wire fence lies a boy, Sobbing into his torn and teathered T-shirt, His skin blue every where it shows. I ask him as if I didn't notice, "Is something the matter?" He responds in an equally ironic manner, "Why of course not, what could be wrong?" His eyes were blazing blue, The kind you can only find in deep saphire, His hair as golden as the meadow, His tears as frozen as the winter breeze. "Why are you crying?" I ask him. "Because, I am lost." "Well, maybe I can help you" I wave my hands for him to get up but he sits still, Even more tense than before. "But I am glad I lost my way." "Glad?  Why would you be glad?" "Because," he says, "My home no longer exists.... it is but a forgotten memory." "Well, that can't be.  I'm sure you have parents looking for you, don't you?" "No, I haven't got any parents... They never existed." "Well, who takes care of you?" The boy's tears cease to cascade down his pale cheeks and he points towards the stars above. "I don't understand," I say. "No... you wouldn't.  Nobody understands.  There are just some things in life unexplainable." "How so," I say. "They just are.  Life is never ending as long as you live, and to live you must be able to open your eyes, for you have been sleeping a very long time, and until you too can live in the stars, you are not alive." I pondered what he said for a second but I was reluctant to get this young boy some shelter. I turned to see if anyone was nearby that could help, And when I turned back he was no longer there. ~~~~~~~ He made not a sound, Not a movement. He dissapeared, And now I understand who he was. It has been one year since that night in the meadow, I too now live among the stars where children are forever young, Adults are no longer older, And  life is no longer regretful. I wasn't able to look deeply enough to understand this boy before, But now I know what he meant, Unfortunately, it is already too late for me. And though I live with the stars, I still can't help but wonder what ever happened to the frightened boy in the meadow. To this day he has not returned, But every time I look towards the stars I know he is there. He is always there, Watching over you, Protecting you whenever you need protection, Guiding you when you need guidance. He will always be up there in the stars, All you have to do is take the time to open your eyes to the real life, And maybe you will see him too.It does have a meaning.. u just have to find it. Written December 9th, 2001 © on Dec 09 2001 04:17 AM PST   0 • 12