The Gift
In the still air heat-haze makes the grasses seem to sway in the distant valley. A breeze slips down a hillside and caresses the grasses gently bowing their seed-heads as though in respect.
The breeze becomes a noisy miner bird and flitters about me before settling and changing into a smiling child. No child could ever have such knowing eyes. “I am here to take you away from all this pain.” it says with great compassion and even pity in it’s voice
“Hello Death, old friend.” I say. The child smiles, pleased at being recognized
“Perhaps you could stay with me this time. All this pain must be tiring to your spirit. Will you come?” it said. It looked concerned and placed a tiny cold hand into mine.
I sighed, my shoulders bowed and I struggled to keep the spark in my eyes from being totally extinguished. It was difficult to keep the emotion from my voice. “I think it will be soon now. ” I whispered. “Sooner than I thought.”
Eyes more ancient than anything I could imagine held mine for a moment. I felt a touch of serenity, a break in the relentless onslaught of life. The child seemed to swirl like some desert mirage and spun around my perspiration soaked body. A rush of coolness and the heat returned in all it’s oppressive stillness leaving me alone in the embrace of my thoughts and pain.
A voice issued from nowhere. “I will free you of pain and bring you rest eventually” it promised. I nodded. “And I will bless you for it!” I said quietly through clenched teeth