Light
The day we first met was like a dream. No...more like a fantasy. It clings to me even now, years later. I can't forget you...your melodic voice, your eyes that burned with the life of the planet itself, the teasing smile your lips found so easily. I remember the way you used to laugh, the rythmic motions you performed, so perfect, so graceful. Beautiful. You were a flower in a field of weeds. The single rose deprived of its thorns, instead graced with a lingering scent of sweetness.
For so long I stumbled, blind and alone in the dark. Lost to everyone, even myself. I didn't care what happened to me; death would have been a welcome change. And then you took it all. You stole away my pain with a single smile and a gentle touch. You gave me so much, and never asked for anything. But then, I guess that was always how you were. You took the sorrow of the world itself, gave us all hope. Even when it meant your own life in exchange.
I caught you as you fell, victim to a monster, or maybe just to my weakness. I couldn't save you, even after you had saved me. My words couldn't reach you, my touch couldn't wake you, my tears wouldn't wash away the blood that stained your face. I cradled your body, begged for it all to be a dream, begged for you to wake up. To salvage my soul as you had once done. And still you wouldn't open your eyes. Not asleep...dead. It was horrible when I realized you wouldn't ever smile at me again. I wouldn't ever hear you beautiful voice or feel your warm touch. You were gone, and I was alone again.
My life plunged into darkness once more; I was now locked in the nightmare for good. I looked for you, for the Promised Land where I might once again see you, but found nothing. I traveled the world searching for you and found only death.
Can I live without you? Is this constant hell called existance worth my pain, my sorrow, my guilt? Sometimes my lonliness is so strong I can't breath or move, and I tumble to the ground, trapped within my own mind, lost among the memories and feelings I can't discard. But now I'm beginning to realize I don't want you to leave me. My thoughts of you are my pain, my pleasure.
I won't let you go. I don't want you to become just a distant memory, someone I will occasionaly reminisce about. I don't want people to forget you. I want you to live on, even if you can't be with me. You weren't just a flower girl, or the sole survivor of an ancient race. You were mine. My flower girl, my ancient, my savior. My everything.
I'll keep searching for you. And maybe, just maybe, I'll find my promised land. Until then, I won't forget you. Because now I see, Aeris, I finally understand. You're the world beneath my feet, the wind through the trees, the rising sun. But most of all, you're the the hope that dwells within our hearts. You are light, and for that, I am grateful.
