Shadow

I drifted in the shadows of the burning fireplace staring into its crimson glow. I placed my empty wineglass on the mantel piece and my thoughts drifted to my past and the bringing of the present, wondering what was to become of it all. There where ghosts at the back door and at the front. What was I suppose to do? To run? To hide? Such nonsense answers with no solutions. I would open the front door to find strange myths and illusions of what lay beyond. Turning I’s slip to the back door to look behind, Christmas tree with kids running around the presents, mistletoes with secret kisses, thunderstorms in the dark, puppet shows and fantasy-filled dreams. What once was there beyond the door of dreams and happy memories cleared into white gusts of winds changing into turrets and throwing of things? Angry gusts and horrid winds changed the setting behind the door- tree no longer crowded with children instead with the old, strangers lurking in corners, mistletoes gone, the lightening gone in a whisper, no more myths and illusions only disruptions. Closing the door, I leaned up against is hard wooden surface and felt the tears flood down my cheeks tasting its saltiness on my lips. There is nothing left, I thought, and nowhere to turn or to run to. The front door is foreboding and the back is corrupt. Then, I remembered the side doors, long forgotten on their rusty hinges and locked latches. I needed the key. I came upon the small cramped door and scrutinized the small keyhole. The door seemed to move with an elusive eerily glowing current, bright colors, then dark, red and then pink, blue, orange black. Like a swirling mist, an ongoing sea fighting battle against its own ancient evil current. I began to back away frightened of what my own eyes brought to me, then something caught my eye, like a sparkle in a bright blue sky, then fairies materialized out of the bluish hues. Dancing, dancing, all about spreading dust and things. “What game is this?” I did shout. They stopped and looked at me saying “You- and you are on a quest to get out!” “Yes,” I said. The odd fairies just turned and left me all alone, taking their blue with them. I looked again at the door that once had evil and was no more. I found I was no longer afraid, but still needed the key to help this escape. Where shall a key be to such a small strange door? I looked and looked to no avail until I found myself at the front door. I tried the knob, it did not budge, so I knocked three times and it opened to a mirror. I looked upon my reflection, I found beauty there, and in that beauty laid the key; of strength, courage and integrity. (Written 1999)