cafe writing: when i was a kid
When you move every year of your life, you look for permanency and stability where you can find it. The stars and the moon, my constant companions, unwavering in both their affection and their longevity. As a child, they were my source of mystery, of magic, of the unknown. In school, they became the objects of my affection and fascination. Living entities of gas and rock, spewing flames, holding within their grasp smaller entities bound to them through the tenuous bonds of invisible force and motion. I would gaze at the moon, familiar, and promise myself I’d join her in the sky one day.
The realistic and far less romantic ending to this story is the realization that I would remain rather earth bound, despite my desire. I came so close. For a brief moment, I touched the possibility of becoming an astronaut. A mission specialist, to be specific. And for as short lived as that brief moment was – I savored it. I tasted it. I relished the thought, the possibility, the hope and magic of the possible reality. I recognized my potential. And it was beautiful.
1Gemma
wrote on 9 August 2009 at 6:18
I know that feeling of looking for a constant in a wnadering childhood. In my case, I was a lonely child with a rather remote mother. My father died when I was 12 and my brother lived in his own mental illusions. So I found a white horse that used to graze within sight of my classroom window. That horse kept my soul smiling!
2A~Lotus
wrote on 15 September 2009 at 21:48
Constant wandering. I too know that feeling well. I’m an introvert always wanting to fit in with the crowd but at the same time savor my own solitude and never letting anyone get too close.
This prose is written beautifully. I like that there are people like yourself who want to be an astronaut at one point in time.