An Essay for Fun: Flowers

Flowers             

             Do you know how I fell in love with you? It was not you but the weather that moved my heart. My

gaze was upon one of the blue patches of sky, the radiant glow of the sun, and the warmth of the desert. It was the weather not you that made my heart flow with affection. You were just there in the perfect place to start a love and my heart leapt towards you. I wandered the desert trying to find the perfect gift; maybe a cactus. No no, too normal, too useless. You will never accept my heart if it weren't a flower. Yes, it has to be a flower.

             So the search began trying to attain my heart’s desires. I walked and walked across the endless desert until I reached a forest full of trees. Rivers flowed and birds chirped making the scene a paradise. I looked down but there was no flower there. I walked and walked again trying to find the perfect flower. ‘Maybe up in the trees’ I thought. But there were so many, all standing up so tall and I couldn't just climb any tree. I listened for the sound of the trees. Minutes passed and it was then when I heard your laughter among the green colors. I ran. The magnificence of the tree trapped me into a moment I cannot put into words. Climbed and climbed I did, being ahead of the next branch and another. What felt like an incessant climbing, had finally come to an end. I opened my eyes wide but there was no flower there.

             Deep with dissatisfaction, I sat for a while and drank from the river that gently flew, while drinking also the color that filled the air. The forest was amazing. The cool breeze and sufficient water was too much compared to the desert. I hoped to bring you here after we've met, after you receive my flower. Again my search began. I was as swift as a desert kangaroo rat that was searching for food. “Where is it?” A feeling of frustration swelled inside me, reaching towards desperation. I began to climb, climb up towards the high mountain sides to see a better view of the whole forest. I was with clouds. Only the full view of the majestic forest calmed me down. The sun’s orange light filled the forest and reached out far, even towards the desert. “Shh Shh” The sound of a waterfall suddenly grasped my ears. Yes, it was the only place to find a flower for you and for you only.

            

When I saw the waterfall, feelings of fear crawled in, with the overwhelming clashes of water. I began to look for the flower. There it was, right at the margin of the waterfall. Dangling with fragility, the most dashing flower I had ever seen. Without hesitation I began to climb down. The waterfall was as dangerous as a lunging tiger. Every time I moved water splattered me. But my passionate heart would fill me with vitality. Finally, I clasped my hands over the small creature.

             Darkness was falling deep into the atmosphere. I had to run to reach you. So I drenched the flower with water so that it wouldn't die. I even carried a bowl full of water made by leaves. Running across the waterfall, pass the trees, and pass the desert, I longed to see you. But I felt myself get lighter as I reached towards you. The sun kept on moving but I have forgotten the sense of time. Darkness was dawning upon me.

             The blue patches of sky was now grey, the sun to be seen no more. Even the warmth of the desert seemed to be shaded by the cold. I ran towards you holding the now dry flower. But you were pale, pale as my flower. I couldn't believe it… The agony seemed to draw in slowly, love leaving me alone. I tried to pour water into your dry mouth. But the water was almost empty. It had spilled during the run. No. This cannot be. She was dying of thirst. The harsh desert had no mercy.

           

  I prayed to the moon so that she could live, I 
prayed that I would die instead. I began to stomp my head to the desert sand. Stomp, stomp, stomp. A feeling of weariness sparked throughout my body. My body was one with the desert. My flesh and blood became part of the Turkana Lake, forming the largest lake in the world. And I say to you. My love towards you is as big as this lake. I will never forget you. I will miss you with my life. That’s what I see in my eyes, the loving moment and memory that I saved you.