Girl Wearing a Gown in a Glass Bubble

Perfect satin swaying over tool complimenting a little silhouette.  Justice stared, big hazel eyes like coal with emerald atmospheres, longingly wanting to know what it would be like. Outside.  Her vanilla skin had a shimmering sheen that reflected not one single flaw. Oval etched finger tips left impressions on paper thin glass as she gently outlined the willow tree as it swayed in the breath of the wind. Just like the wind, Justice used her own spirit to create small drawing canvases, which helped to bring beautiful things closer. She leaned back on her dress using it as a pillow and watched as her pictures slowly evaporated.  For a moment, she closed her eyes and listened to the breeze as she imagined what it would feel like on her arms and her face. What would it be like to nestle in the leaves at top of the willow tree? How she desired to swing in its branches, to be ushered into sleep under the bright moon and shining stars.  Her imagination welcomed a sleepy feeling that began in her stomach and moved into her eyes. Justice laid down where she was at and snuggled into her pale peach gown. The cold glass began to warm up as her body pressed against it until ten feet above her and ten feet all around her glowed a light rose pink as her circular glass house warmed up to protect her as she slept.

A snapping twig caused Justice's eyes to instantly open. Mounds of fabric had to be pushed out of the way, so she could find her footing. The glass was still warm under her bare feet.  As she scanned her surroundings, a faint tapping like nails on a desk caused her to look up.  Two jet black eyes with fire orange irises stared back at her. Two brilliant and glowing pearl colored wings opened as if to envelope her. Justice fell back in fear and pulled a layer of her dress over her head.

"Why are you so afraid?"

Justice pulled the fabric down just enough for her eyes to peek out and what she saw mesmerized her. A creature she had never seen lay on top of her glass house; its enormous feathery wings spanned across the ceiling and  down the sides. The air surrounding her began to feel humid from the heat produced by the wings of her visitor.  Justice slowly stood and backed away as far as she could until she hit glass.  She then sank down into the dress once more.

"Who are you?" Justice decided to answer with a question.

The being resembling what some might describe as an angel smiled kindly, "Hope". Her glowing swirling  vapor-like body began to shine brightly with blues and purples.

"Hope. I like that. I'm Justice."

Hope smiled broadly down at Justice. "Well, I am happy you like it. I really like your name too."

Hope tapped a couple times on the glass and Justice watched as spider web-like markings began to crawl out from under Hope's finger. For a frantic moment, Justice looked around, but then she saw the willow tree bowing in the wind and for the first time felt something foreign on her face. Wind.  Cracks flew down the side of the glass bubble and showers of rainbow light burst forth as glass particles scattered in all directions. The peach coloring on Justice's gown began to fade until it was a gleaming white. Hope appeared in front of her and dabbed tears away from Justice's cheeks. From a shimmering gold belt she pulled out a fabric scroll and handed it to Justice. As she opened it, recognizable golden handwriting began to scribble across the page.

"Justice, find your sister, Passion. Hope will guide you."

Floods of memories came rushing back into Justice's mind including  the willow tree branches that the Creator would lay her in as he told her stories of how she came to be and His great love for her. She wasn't made to be alone. Hope walked closer to Justice and embraced her. Hope's mighty wings began to disappear as a tear of joy left her right eye.

Looking directly into Justice's eyes she whispered, "I found you."

In an instant Hope disappeared. It was at this moment Justice grabbed her chest as an ache began to throb inside her and then a burning on her chest. She pulled the sleeve of her dress away from her left shoulder  and directly below her clavicle she saw a brand absorbing into her skin: Hope. As if a new song was playing inside her, Justice climbed the willow. It's branches and leaves lifted her in honor and joy of the Creator. As she scaled the canopy, She could see a dismal smog where the sun was rising. It was then a picture flashed across her imagination. Passion lay in mud and brambles up to her shoulders. Her breath was shallow and the thorns of discouragement seemed to be getting tighter. Justice blinked the image away, but knew what she needed to do. She rolled her long thick unruly ash colored hair into a knot and tucked the scroll into a pocket in the folds of her dress and stared up at the sky; a new and intense fervor sparkled in her eyes.

"Thank you for Hope. I will find Passion," promised Justice.


 

        

Pebbles in the Sky

Seldom do I ever admit fear.  But, this moment would be one of them. It seemed like a good idea to sit down and evaluate the situation. I winced as bruised knees collided with the earth. The grass was soft and feather-like, but any pressure seemed to make even my bones ache.

The sun was just beginning to rise. Little wisps of blue and purple were swelling higher and higher in the east until the vast expanse around me became a brilliant hue of indigo blue. The air was more fresh and moist up here and there was a sweetness that is difficult to describe-a delicate balance of rose and apple.

 At this point in my journey, I could have sat there indefinitely and just absorbed into the grassy knolls and allowed myself to be tossed to and fro.  The truth is though, I would have gotten bored.  I didn't choose this journey to only reach the top of the mountain because I knew there was a higher place.

As the peaches began to make their way into the blues, a twinkle caught my attention.  I began to crawl and then walk, bobbing back and forth trying to keep the mesmerizing object within my sight. My legs jolted and my knees buckled as my body instinctively stopped at the edge of a cliff.  My breath seemed to become lodged in between my ribs and heart as I realized the shiny treasure was a golden stone. It sparkled more and more as the sun continued to rise. It was then that I saw another one in front of that one- only that one was blood red.

At this point on my journey all that remained with me was a bow and a single arrow.  They would no longer be needed. It sounds strange, but somehow I knew. This was it. The last test. It was so longer about how strong I was. It was about how bold I could be. I hesitantly dropped my bow, quiver, and arrow onto the grass beside me and winced as I heard the crunching sound.

It was then that I closed my eyes and listened. I wanted some assurance this was the only way. It was then that a gentle breeze caressed my right hand and then my left. As I opened my eyes to look around I saw a staircase leading down.  I was positive it wasn't there before. The wind seemed to increase as I walked toward the stairs until I almost blew off.  My eyes caught a glimpse of fires below. It was all dust.  There was nothing left down there for me. My feet pivoted and I turned back to where I saw the stones and I walked back over.

The sun was now peaking it's welcoming light over the hills in the distance scattering fog and revealing a majestic lake, which seemed to be rising higher in the sky. It was at that moment I saw tiny glints of twinkling stones the looked like pebbles scattered across the sky heading in the direction of the great lake. 

As courage lifted my foot a gust of warm fragrant air blew me up and the ball of my right foot rested on the golden stone followed by my left on the blood red stone. A puff of air exited my lips in relief. I had a long way to go, but as I took each step the aches seemed to be left behind along with the pain of the preceding journey. 

I am currently walking on pebbles miles above the ground. I feel like I must be insane, but then I remember there is no Plan B.

Dancing Emeralds

Emerald Green. What makes it emerald and not grass green is the sparkling life-like reaction it exhibits as it dances in the wind. It is as if little magic flecks are floating around each blade creating different textures and vibrating energy. Soft like lambs wool, my face receives kisses from storybook Irish landscape.
I could lay here all day and dream because isn't that what it is all about? Being able to listen, imagine, and bring to life something out of nothing? I could have said the grass touched my face and I began to think of ideas, but how interesting is that? I would much rather find the joy being tilled in my spirit by all that is around me and unfurl the puzzle.
That emerald green is like no other I have ever seen. It isn't just because the hue or the tint, but because of how I encounter it.  An actual emerald might seem more valuable, but as I look at the open fields of reflecting light moving in perfect rhythm across romping grounds for sheep, cattle, and twirling children with bows laughing, I can feel my spirit absorb it all. It is at this moment, I ask myself, who could be so creative?