The Races Long Forgotten

[Shyantra]

With Moon’s ray of light touching the tops of the old gravestones, I danced with one of the world’s oldest friends, Wind. Wind played with the ends of my black flowing dress, while raking his fingers through my auburn hair, whispering nothingness into my ears, and caressing my exposed skin. He and I danced well into the night with Moon as our guardian, the plants our dj, and the animals our spectators.

As Moon began its decent into another realm, Sun came up to spoil the fun. Wind and I had to depart and wait to finish our dance because the world of humans beckoned me and Mother Nature beckoned him. With our last moment of bliss, we said our silent goodbyes and he held me tenderly and longingly as Time stood still with a fidget here and there. Wrapped in his arms, I was the first to pull away and head towards the glowing realm door. I never looked back as I made my way into the human’s realm.

Stepping through the barrier, I paused as the stench of combined substances reached me. Odors of perspiration and waste were intermixed with the intoxicating aromas of rain and the exotic black iris. The city had grown since the last time I was here. Metal machines patrolled black streets and above the buildings, which reached ever higher towards the sky, metal birds created a racket that drove away the wildlife, except those who strived off the scraps. Sun was bright even though he was shrouded in clouds that created frightening and ever present shadows and the light blue sky was hidden from my view.

I had not been long in this realm to feel Loneliness creeping up behind me, telling me that I would not see my friends for a long time to come. I knew this to be true, for Wind was not present in this city; the edifices were so tall and broad that he might lose his way if he ventured too far. I only hoped that I would see Moon when darkness decided to spread a blanket over this city.

Brushing off Loneliness’ words, I began my adventure into this much changed city. Colorful, yet vulgar, words and drawings called for my attention as I passed them by. Humans, who were spread out on the ground, stared at me as I walked the path that led me farther into the heart of this once gorgeous city. What happened to the gaiety, the music, the companionship, and liveliness that filled this race? I wondered. What happened to the great core values, the self-driven attitude, self-worth, and their pride? What had changed so much that people lost their will to live life to its fullness? What had they lost to make them wish death over life? I had so many questions that the few answers I came up with didn’t seem to fit. I was so bewildered that I failed to see who was watching my every movement, who was waiting for me to make a false move, who was waiting to take me.

I stopped there in an entrance to a side street and spread my arms and legs, reaching with my mind to get a feel of what was happening with these poor creatures. As I was about to connect with someone, a sharp and painful blow was dealt to the back of my neck, making my vision blur and its edges slowly turning black. I slumped to the grey, flat slab of rock.