I followed the song of the nightingale through the forest to the edge of my mind.

I remembered to cut lilacs from the bank of the creek as I raced to the place where

we first met. The Muses found me naked, singing lullabies to falling stars under a

blue harvest moon. Fearful for my sanity, they summoned the Elder Sprites and Green

Wood Elves; well known for their healing powers. Do you remember the cliffs of

desire where we first met at the edge of the world near the temple of the heart

where the ocean meets the sky? Do you remember Frey, the golden bear who wished us

well? The Sprites, thinking I was crazy or insane from hunger, fed me cherry

blossoms and distracted me with fantasies from the other side of time. The Wood

Elves on the other hand, being somewhat more hopeful than their cousins, insisted

that I was a sign from the Great Source of Our Belonging. They proudly displayed

their magic to me and showed me how they had learned to make the stars sing. They

taught me to expand my heart beyond what I thought was its final frontier. They

showed me how they weave their spells with the hope I might finally free myself

from the ghosts of my past and the image of you when we first met. I could never

let that happen though. Sometimes Wood Elves can be so naive. I love this cliff

near the den of the bear where the sky drinks the sea and the mountains stand tall

at the edge of my mind where we bathed in the ocean of forgiveness. That was ten

thousand years ago but here I still stand. The Western Wind says you will be home

soon. I knew you would return. Please hurry, my whole world is waiting for you.

I am still holding lilacs too.

10/02/2008

Posted on 10/03/2008
Copyright © 2025 Scott Utley