My feet hit the pavement the sound echoes through the darkness. I look around only to see the same black outlines I've seen for days. Nothing but trees as far as I can see on either side of the never ending road.
On one side there is life. Leaves of every color gliding through air kissing the ground as they land effortlessly, almost like they were destined to be in that exact spot. Birds sleep peacefully and wake with the most beautiful songs when the Sun slips over the horizon.
On the other side, life's absence hangs over like a reaper ready to choke life out of any living creature. Clouds of dirt fly through the air blinding the vision of those standing too near. Smoke rises from smoldering ash where life once thrived. Remnants burning still cling to what little life they had left. I sway between the two in between life-and-death, with each step I take. I waver towards the burning trees. Battling to get back to the light. Night falls; I collapse inches away from the smoking limbs. I can feel the heat burning against my flesh. My eyes close, succumbing to the exhaustion. Day Breaks, I have found myself in the middle of the Path. I lift my head and slowly open my eyes. I hear birds singing, feeling leaves hitting my body. I look around to see life surrounding me. I have survived another day. I push myself up onto shaking legs. I begin to walk. My steps echoing down the road. I look towards the colorful trees, walking down this road that never ends. A smile crosses my face for the first time in days. I'm alive, like the trees and singing birds. The heat is burning on the other side of the street. Suddenly I realize, I am the life. All of this is me. The birds, the Sun, the flames, the smoke are all inside of me.
I hold the darkness inside. Luckily for me I choose the light, I choose to live. Everyday I walk down this road. Everyday I battle my darkness coming inches away from the burning embers of that lifeless forest. Everyday I choose to live. Everyday, I survive.
©mindy
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