Into the West- Annie Lennox
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INTO THE WEST
Letting out a deep breath she lies down on the wooden bench, the squeaking of the timbers shifting with her, making her smile with something akin to amusement. Quickly scrunching up her jumper and sticking it under her head as a pillow, she looked up at the quickly fading orange and purple of the sky, streaks of colour breaking up the normal blue in shocking displays of radiance. A light breeze blew, her tightly curled hair slipping through the panels and swaying in the breeze, as if dancing to the quiet words she sang, just above a whisper, her eyes now closed.
'Lay down your sweet and weary head. Night is falling; you have come to journey's end. Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before. They are calling, from across the distant shore...'
The quiet sound of a cricket filtered into her consciousness, the breeze picking up for a split second and then dropping again. She didn't seem to be aware of much else, save for these natural things- the rustling of the leaves, the buzz of some sort of annoying insect. To those nearby, actually watching with the ones they loved, their families, or even their friends, the sun was slowly disappearing, the world a mottled orange, saturated in light and colour. Only those who would have paid particular attention to the girl lying on the bench would have noticed a small tear escape her eye at its corner, the quiet singer letting it drop, and start to create a streak of salty water down her cheek and neck.
'Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face? Soon you will see all of your fears will pass away...''
She slowly wrapped her arms around herself as she sensed the world turn grey, the sun hiding its face, making way for the moon. She found herself wishing... wishing he was with her. 'Safe in my arms, you're only sleeping'. Hearing some footsteps nearby she paused for a second, opening her eyes, a pointless sense of hope filling her, but she shut them again as a short, well-dressed man walked past, muttering to himself.
'What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea, a pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home.'
Feeling a sudden need to move, she stands, walking to the barrier made of concrete, the old stand that no doubt used to hold one of those tourist binoculars. Slipping up onto the railing she wiped a hand across her face, streaking the trail of tears across her cheek, wiping again and making it all disappear. Taking a deep breath she looked up at the moon- a full moon. The first stars had crept out into the sky from their hiding places watching the world below as she watches them with hope, sorrow and a deep sense of joy- joy in being alive.. of being healthy... of indeed merely having hope.
'And all will turn... To silver glass. A light on the water... All souls pass....'
Sitting up, her balance centred on the solid bar underneath her, she looked out onto the city below her, the lights starting to glint as if some strange sort of presence was flicking the lights on and off so quickly that the mind couldn't even perceive the change, just a small flicker... Some strange entity enjoying the almost mesmerising movement of it. The bay could be seen, floating lights marking where the big ships and fishing boats still dwelled, hoping for a catch or sailing off to distant places. It brought back memories of one who had worked on those ships... and she smothered them quickly, remembering instead him. Her dearest love... him helping her....
'Hope fades, into the world of night. Through shadows falling... out of memory and time...'
Simpleness, a slight push was all she had needed. Encouragement... a reminder that life was worth living. That she herself was worth something. In a way, he had saved her from sinking so deep into a dark hole, one that let no light in, that looked inviting at its entrance but once in its twisted walls you realise it is endless and dark, twisting and turning, often giving false upward trails... Shutting her eyes she left the thoughts there, a small smile settling on her face as a new thought appeared.... Them.. here... Him standing behind her, holding her, the feeling of love... He was not gone forever, and she knew they would come back here. When he returned. This was their spot, and always would be. He would be back... she knew it. A small whisper...
'Don't say: We have come now to the end... White shores are calling, you and I will meet again... And you'll be here in my arms, just sleeping...'
She had helped him in return she knew, and him being away had been the result, but she knew it was worth it. It was all so worth it. She peered out at the world, as unseeing as if she had shut her eyes, an eternal perspective drawn out in front of her. Such a short time... that seemed forever so close... so long... and yet would measure to be such a small speck on the story of her life...
'What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the sea... A pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home...'
Looking back up at the sky, she brushes her hand across her lips, feeling the softness, knowing what she wanted was slightly too far out of reach. The sky a deep blue, almost a grey now, the lights of the land... the contrast... it all disappeared again, irrelevant as she slipped of the rail moving back to the bench and sitting down quietly, her bare feet making no sound on the cool of the concrete.
'And all will turn... To silver glass. A light on the water... Grey ships pass.....'
Picking up the book she had, along with the paper and a pen, she let the tears fall again as she remembered, as she wrote... and as she felt to words emerge from her very heart and soul... to be read by only one man. One love.... her chosen.
'Into the West....'
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