Paradise

The sky is antique grey
the sun a hazy yellow
its muted rays reach through the clouds
and sparkle all around me

Silently I glide along
Clouds of dirt swirl around my ankles
and cling to the soles of my feet
A warm breeze whispers through the field
stirring my damp locks of hair.

In the forest
I find myself then.
Dappled shadows slant through the air
the trees are leafy, green, and dense
and I laugh in pure delight
a serene scene fills my eyes
A deer darts away upon seeing me
and melts into the trees
A bough-perched bird cries out
a shrill and joyful note.

I clear a space in the branches
and let it close behind me.
I draw a sharp breath in awe
and soak it in with all my senses

A stream meanders its merry way
through the close growing trees.
Bubbling and clear, it rushes along
and is cold when I cup some
to my lips to take a drink.

The iron caress of
time rushes on, immortal.
I linger long, and longer
than perhaps I should
I linger, I lose myself
but finally, I must go.

I walk along the path again
the forest at my back.
Colors fade
into mist
to dull and lifeless grey
I am absorbed
back to reality
I wish I could have stayed
I wish I could have stayed.