Wildcard
Silence. I close my eyes as I breathe in the fresh air that engulfs my whole body. I slowly step down the front porch, trailing my hand along the railing, feeling the worn wood chip and peel off at my touch. When I reach the bottom, my boots land on the soft gravel that forms a path towards the horizon. The sun's edges are just beginning to dip beneath the Earth, and out of sight, filling my surroundings with a yellow glow. I walk down the gravel path, feeling the crunch and groan of each stone with every step. The trees, tall and strong, bow and wave in the breeze, stretching out their branches to soak up every ounce of light left of the day. A swing that hangs from one of the lower branches sways beneath the massive tree, ghostly rocking back and forth, with each puff of wind. The wheat field that lies to the side of the path is quiet with a faint whisper that ripples through it now and then. Its eeriness is overwhelming as the stalks dance around my legs, moving in time with my dress that circles around my waist. Once deep into the field, I sink down, allowing the wheat to form to my body and hold me in its grasp. My outstreatched arms flatten the grass and my fingers twirl and intwine with each stem. I am at peace. Not a sound, not a soul, not a worry can touch me here. The frustrations of the world are taken off of my sholders and float away with the excess wheat in the wind. I feel safe and enclosed, untouchable.
Off in the distance a soft laughter shatters the silence and I am brought back to reality. Voices begin rising, loud music begins playing, and the laughter goes on. I get up and begin walking towards them, curiousity driving the muscles in my legs to move. At the edge of the wheat field a white fence borders the property but it is inexistant and I hoist myself up and over it, lightly landing on the opposite side. The noise is growing louder now and my pace quickens. As I near a clearing, small children dart infront and behind me, engaged in a game of hide-and-seek behind the trees. The little one's giggles proudly announce their hiding place, but only cause them to laugh harder when they are found. In the clearing, I am immediatly hit with music and voices in light conversation. A fire burns off in the center of the clearing, with everyone else surrounding it insulating its warmth with their bodies. The smell of burnt wood and brush fills my nose and the peace I felt when I entered the wheat field returned. Someone grabs my hand and pulls me to the fire, settling me down inbetween two people who politely smile at me and continue talking. Familiar and strange faces pass in and out of my vision and I greet each one with a smile and exasperated hello. The sun has now dipped almost fully beneath the Earth, and my hair glistens with red highlights as the last rays slip away and out of sight. We are left with the light of fire and laughter to keep things bright and it does. I sit back in my chair and once more breathe in the air. It is sweet, still fresh, but sweet. The happiness and joy that surrounds me with this company tugs at the corners of my mouth and I can't help but grin. This is peace. When love overwhelms you with comfort and you are just happy being in the presence of others. That is peace.
Off in the distance a soft laughter shatters the silence and I am brought back to reality. Voices begin rising, loud music begins playing, and the laughter goes on. I get up and begin walking towards them, curiousity driving the muscles in my legs to move. At the edge of the wheat field a white fence borders the property but it is inexistant and I hoist myself up and over it, lightly landing on the opposite side. The noise is growing louder now and my pace quickens. As I near a clearing, small children dart infront and behind me, engaged in a game of hide-and-seek behind the trees. The little one's giggles proudly announce their hiding place, but only cause them to laugh harder when they are found. In the clearing, I am immediatly hit with music and voices in light conversation. A fire burns off in the center of the clearing, with everyone else surrounding it insulating its warmth with their bodies. The smell of burnt wood and brush fills my nose and the peace I felt when I entered the wheat field returned. Someone grabs my hand and pulls me to the fire, settling me down inbetween two people who politely smile at me and continue talking. Familiar and strange faces pass in and out of my vision and I greet each one with a smile and exasperated hello. The sun has now dipped almost fully beneath the Earth, and my hair glistens with red highlights as the last rays slip away and out of sight. We are left with the light of fire and laughter to keep things bright and it does. I sit back in my chair and once more breathe in the air. It is sweet, still fresh, but sweet. The happiness and joy that surrounds me with this company tugs at the corners of my mouth and I can't help but grin. This is peace. When love overwhelms you with comfort and you are just happy being in the presence of others. That is peace.