Once Upon A December
As Sapphire floated there she heard strains of her favourite childhood song drifting towards her, although it was only her imagination.
Dancing Bears.
The travelling carnival, with the fast music, the dancing, the rides, candyfloss.
Painted Wings.
School Nativity's with costumes, forgotten lines, runny noses, kicking, pushing, proud smiles.
Things I almost remember.
Fleeting images, faded and worn.
And a song.
A lullaby.
Someone sings.
Mother?
Once upon a December.
Snow falling, swirling, forgotten in the waters of the deep. A sweet high voice singing words forgotten, the night before Christmas.
Someone holds me safe and warm.
Wrapped tightly in Connor's arms.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
The beautiful pictures in the books I once read.
Figures dancing gracefully across my memory.
Old movies in black and white with the dresses twirling effortlessly.
Someone holds me safe and warm.
This time it was dad. Holding me close on his knee and singing Peggy Gordon.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
A snowstorm once when we had gone on holiday, beautiful white horses had mixed with the swirling white.
Figures dancing gracefully across my memory.
Pictures of women in dresses, my great grandmother dancing.
Far away.
Air…
Long ago.
Before I met him, before Ingo lured me in, before I became this.
Glowing dim as an ember.
Fading, dim, I knew they wouldn't all last forever.
Things my heart used to know.
My Family, my friends.
Things it yearns to remember.
Sadie, Rainbow, Mal, Connor, Patrick, Granny Carne.
And a song.
Now a Mer lullaby
Someone sings.
Faro sings.
Once.
Long ago.
Upon.
A quiet cliff.
A December.
Sapphire looked down at her tail and then too the strong arms wrapped around her waist. She would never regret her decision.
She only wished to remember.