Quiet Times

The beginning of something better...

Sitting on the rooftop I could see the cemetary across the road. My mind drifted here and there; the meaning of life, the simplicity of aloneness, the complexity of my angst. Fruit above and around, the smell of Camel's on my breath, I could not fathom that life had more to offer. For a quiet, yet restless, moment I was free. I lay staring up into the heavens, branches all around; I closed my eyes. The cars rushing nearby seemed to come to a halt and the starling's gentle coos dominated my senses. The sweet perfume of the fruit tree drifted all around me, permeating my thoughts. As my body slowly relaxed from the stress of the day, there in the heat, my mind continued to drift. Could I ever escape? Did I really want out? My mind became enveloped with fantasy and adventure of a life that few(I knew) were bold enough to lead. My sweatpants clung to me in the growing humidity as clouds began to gather overhead. I closed my eyes once more, determined to leave it all behind.

I awoke to the sound of approaching thunder and the smell of moist dirt. The branches rustled now and all the sweet yet conflicted thoughts drifted to future nostalgia. I remained there, cooled by the winds brought by the nearing thunderstorm. I thought it very fastidious of me to just remain where I was. The mere thought of my father's reaction to me coming in late made me chuckle aloud. I turned to my side just in time to witness a brillant stoke of lightning maybe half a mile away. I wanted so badly to lie there, perfectly still with a lighting rod pointed to the sky. Maybe I could be put out of my misery nice and quickly. But was this really misery? I sat up, clutching my knees for support. I let out a berefted sigh and peered down the narrow passageway that led to solid ground. I paused and closed my eyes once more; I would be back tomorrow.

Reviews

[A.C. Flanagan]

hey, this is real good writing. I don't know if this is the beginning of something great, or just a little exercise in writing, but it was good. You craft words together beautifully.

[The Viking]

You have got to make this into a developed story. This is an excellent intro, especially with the introspection. I remember many nights myself perched above a cemetery pondering similar things. I see this the beginning of a long path of self discovery. Keep it up.