VII

Lost Helmet

As I landed steady on my feet,

surveying the cracked ravines,

my thoughts flashed back to

the ravaging asteroids

that chased me out of the sky

I breathed a sigh,

reclining to the

land’s gentle touch

Everything was so different

than anything I had ever known

land so green and so soft

air so clear it sparkled a vivid blue

transleucent

that traversed through the ravines,

filling the chasms with life

flowing along gently like a melody

I lay back my head

the distance stood still

in clear ivory

a creamy sky sparkling

with some crystalline stars

like diamonds peeking through

I sighed,

but my breath got caught in my helmet

like a kind compliment

kept in the heart

After a while, I woke from a nap

my thoughts got away from me

and I was sure I wasn’t even dreaming

but I felt alive

It had been too long

since my hollow shell felt alive

I wandered along the ravines,

staring into the sparkling air

which traveling along,

skipping joyfully, like the purple stars

Instinctually, I reached toward it

and my logic didn’t halt me

It wasn’t air--but substance

droplets that escaped from

the cracks in my hand,

afraid of being contained

they scattered back into the blue,

becomming one soul again

Astounded, I kept trying it again,

dipping my hands into the blue air,

and watching it trail away

each time,

cherishing the moment

savoring the wonder

Then I had to turn away--

to see what else there could be

that speaks of life

other than that of the environment

But it was too quiet again,

just like the other worlds,

nothing there but my thoughts

hanging in my own space

as everything just

wandered about

just as I had been doing

in my travels, in my journey

except it was happy

its path it carved

the path that was carved

though it was jagged and shadowed,

the purpose it held and

the blue which followed it

made it beautiful

For a split second,

my foot caught in the ground,

and my pulse quickened

as I struggled to free myself

then a sharp crack

freed the ground

and I plummeted below

to a cavern

Soft drips of blue came from the surface above

the cave was quiet except for

the bubbling noises the

liquid above made as it crossed the ravines

but where I had fallen,

there was nothing

just darkness and rocks

Then I started coughing

and I had no idea why until

I realized--

the fall cracked my helmet

I figured that was it

I’d either have to go home

or expire here among the green swaying,

the plush land, the cracked ravines,

the blue passages flowing

But I pushed myself up,

strapped my helmet to my side,

took a deep breath,

ascended to the surface

But when I did,

everything was different

Chirping-like noises

filled the air

the bubbling sang louder

the colors brightened,

grew so vivid they

burned themselves into my eyes

but it was peaceful

Alive

again, alive

My breaths came naturally

steady, certainly,

but steady

I tossed the helmet down the hole

The air lifted me from the ground

as I breathed

I ran,

letting my legs take me where they may

retired the gloves and cupped the water

it stayed in my palms,

looking back at me sweetly

like a friend

I slipped away my suit,

and the light grew warmer around me,

making my face glow

my burgundy jumpsuit

was still thin enough to keep me warm

and I fell back on the ground again,

hearing for the first time its

gentle swishing

and I fell asleep again

I miss that world

I don’t know anyone who lived there

I didn’t get any information

I didn’t see anyone or any living creature

but I already want to go back

becuase it told me enough

just by being there

It didn’t need a story

it had a purpose

to provide rest for the weary

But now I need a new helmet

Next Chapter: Fire