The Skies burst with color. Orange, green and then yellow.
They screamed out for anyone to hear. “Come and catch us” they cried. They called, pleaded.
The children ran.
I cried out, calling them back.
But they disappeared, the children did, one by one into the empty land Beyond.
Beyond the place where Color lives. Beyond the place of Peace.
The children drifted on and on until they reached the Palace.
There they knelt on bleeding knees.
There they fell and cried.
Their wings ripped off, their smiles gone.
I called for them that day. I said “live where Color dwells. Dwell where Water runs. Stay where no one can make you sad. Stay where Joy lives.”
They turned their heads in my direction, their faces streaked with tears. They stood up slowly, their blank stares seeing through me.
“What is this Color you speak of?” They asked with gray lips.
“Where is this Water you speak of?” They asked with parched lips.
“What is this Joy you speak of?” They asked with their eyes turned upward, pleading.
I turned to the Palace Keeper and spoke with new rage.
“Your words seduce us. Your riches tempt us. Your words cut us down, beat us and break us.” I threw my words like spears of fire until the Keeper stood.
He stood with strength and might that were not shown in his eyes.
“Dare you come and speak the Truth. Dare you use your Peaceful ways. Dare you paint you retched Colors. Dare you take my children away.”
Fire lit up the Palace. It danced around the halls.
The children screamed with terror.
The Fire burned up their tears. It took away my color.
We ran for the Gate Beyond. Faster on and on.
We leaped across the boundaries.
Color sang across the fields, hills and mountains.
Peace rang out loud and clear.
The children found the Water, and drank their fill.
The children found Joy at last.
