I stood in disbelief of what
had happened. The wind itself turning against me, preventing me from freeing
the songbird of her cage. Even for just a moment. But, deep down, even I knew
it would not be for just a moment. I wanted more. And, the wind knew, as well.
On a whim, I began pleading with the songbird. I peppered her with personal questions. I wanted answers. Answers that might put my uncertain concerns to rest. She tried to convince me that all was well with her situation. But, in my heart, I disagreed with every word she sang to me.
I could tell the wind sensed my frustration. It knew my intent and was starting to grow restless. Impatient. Intolerant.
I gave the songbird one last heartfelt thought. The burning question struck her breast like a flaming arrow. With that final effort, reason outweighed her premature contentment and childlike fears. Reason to escape her gilded prison. And, I once again made it my goal to free her.
Quickly, I reached up and repeatedly tore at the lock with my fingers(as if my own hand was all that was needed). But, it would not budge. The songbird told me it would not be enough. She chirped a shrill note high into the air which magically opened the prison door and allowed her to fly free.
High above the tree under which I stood, the clouds began to swirl and darken with a thunderous rage. The surrounding trees hissed and moaned as they pointed their branches at the songbird and I. A storm was swiftly brewing and focussing its fury upon my head. The gilded cage tossed and twirled as the winds intensified. More brittle brown leaves began pelting my face and forearms as forceful gusts tore at my shoulders and ankles. Slowly dropping to my knees, I could feel my breath becoming short.
"No!" cried the songbird as she watched me weaken against the strong wind's wrath.
I watched her flutter above me. Though she was fighting the wind with a heart full of terror, she still looked beautiful. High above her, I could see the clouds growing darker by the second. Sparks of lightning forming. Thunder growling ever louder. An electrical storm. A furious brew of disapproval from the heavens. The wrath of Zeus himself just waiting for the pivotal moment to strike.
As I sensed the finger of death about to descend, I leapt up from my knees and ahead of the songbird. She was just as surprised as I was by my actions. Suddenly, an unseen force shot down from the sky and penetrated my chest like a sharpened steel rod. Before I could finish blinking, my heart stopped. And, I tasted blood.
Once more, I fell to my knees and then all fours. I watched the blood dripping from my lips vanish into the tall grass. My vision began to fade.
The songbird fluttered in front of me, crying out in terror. Horrified by the sight and fearing I would die too soon. She kept wailing, "I meant no harm! I meant no harm!"
I watched her bright yellow feathers blur before my eyes til she resembled a star glowing in the dark of night. I felt my equilibrium fail as I teetered onto my head. A forceful hand pressed upon my face as if trying to push it underground. My strength rapidly draining, I knew the end was near. I could not tell if I was crying, but my eyes felt wet. And, I prayed I had done the right thing. I prayed the songbird would be okay and free to live as she pleased. I also prayed that the wind would come to its senses and leave her be. Not threaten to take her life this way. That...was my final thought.
As she realized the present means of her release was finally gone from this world, the songbird shed one final tear in a brief, heartfelt song of sorrow. Then, taking flight, she headed north. She fled the scene with all her might. [She would not let me die without honor.] And, the forceful winds pursued her, determined to recapture their beloved prisoner. Tugging at her long tail feathers til she found the strength to break free. She flew faster than she ever had before to where the northern winds would not let those of the south reach her. Sanctuary high atop a snow-capped mountain where her tears would stay long enough to sort her feelings in peace.
On a whim, I began pleading with the songbird. I peppered her with personal questions. I wanted answers. Answers that might put my uncertain concerns to rest. She tried to convince me that all was well with her situation. But, in my heart, I disagreed with every word she sang to me.
I could tell the wind sensed my frustration. It knew my intent and was starting to grow restless. Impatient. Intolerant.
I gave the songbird one last heartfelt thought. The burning question struck her breast like a flaming arrow. With that final effort, reason outweighed her premature contentment and childlike fears. Reason to escape her gilded prison. And, I once again made it my goal to free her.
Quickly, I reached up and repeatedly tore at the lock with my fingers(as if my own hand was all that was needed). But, it would not budge. The songbird told me it would not be enough. She chirped a shrill note high into the air which magically opened the prison door and allowed her to fly free.
High above the tree under which I stood, the clouds began to swirl and darken with a thunderous rage. The surrounding trees hissed and moaned as they pointed their branches at the songbird and I. A storm was swiftly brewing and focussing its fury upon my head. The gilded cage tossed and twirled as the winds intensified. More brittle brown leaves began pelting my face and forearms as forceful gusts tore at my shoulders and ankles. Slowly dropping to my knees, I could feel my breath becoming short.
"No!" cried the songbird as she watched me weaken against the strong wind's wrath.
I watched her flutter above me. Though she was fighting the wind with a heart full of terror, she still looked beautiful. High above her, I could see the clouds growing darker by the second. Sparks of lightning forming. Thunder growling ever louder. An electrical storm. A furious brew of disapproval from the heavens. The wrath of Zeus himself just waiting for the pivotal moment to strike.
As I sensed the finger of death about to descend, I leapt up from my knees and ahead of the songbird. She was just as surprised as I was by my actions. Suddenly, an unseen force shot down from the sky and penetrated my chest like a sharpened steel rod. Before I could finish blinking, my heart stopped. And, I tasted blood.
Once more, I fell to my knees and then all fours. I watched the blood dripping from my lips vanish into the tall grass. My vision began to fade.
The songbird fluttered in front of me, crying out in terror. Horrified by the sight and fearing I would die too soon. She kept wailing, "I meant no harm! I meant no harm!"
I watched her bright yellow feathers blur before my eyes til she resembled a star glowing in the dark of night. I felt my equilibrium fail as I teetered onto my head. A forceful hand pressed upon my face as if trying to push it underground. My strength rapidly draining, I knew the end was near. I could not tell if I was crying, but my eyes felt wet. And, I prayed I had done the right thing. I prayed the songbird would be okay and free to live as she pleased. I also prayed that the wind would come to its senses and leave her be. Not threaten to take her life this way. That...was my final thought.
As she realized the present means of her release was finally gone from this world, the songbird shed one final tear in a brief, heartfelt song of sorrow. Then, taking flight, she headed north. She fled the scene with all her might. [She would not let me die without honor.] And, the forceful winds pursued her, determined to recapture their beloved prisoner. Tugging at her long tail feathers til she found the strength to break free. She flew faster than she ever had before to where the northern winds would not let those of the south reach her. Sanctuary high atop a snow-capped mountain where her tears would stay long enough to sort her feelings in peace.
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