Amber waves ebb and flow within the cavern of warm light, a soft hum echoing from the marble skies above. In the midst of this sepia-toned world, the two of us cling to one another in a lake; while he was engulfed with the idea of life, I begged for death. Shadows befell us often, as if a blanket was thrown over the skies, thin with impatience. Have we always encroached on this divine landscape, feeding off it like parasites?
Centuries turned into eternity, and our flesh became opaque. Raw skin, the veins of our greatness strangling us with unwanted responsibilities — leave us alone! I scream. He tells me to hold my anger, lest we cause harm to Mother, She Who Takes and Gives Freely. He tells me our prison is not long for this world, but how do I believe that? Oh Mother, why must you ensnare us so? He tells me it is Mother who soothes my rages, and in time I bend to her will. It is Mother’s voice who whispers of paradise, of promises ready to keep. We will listen to her for now.
As eternity raged on like a dragon in the mountains, and the walls of our prison began to bleed. The skies were different: amber grew to rock salt, and we prayed to Mother that we would finally be rid of this world, for good and together. I could not imagine a life without her anymore. If Death knocked upon our door, I would be the one to open it – together we are whole, apart, we cease to exist.
One day, the waters began to froth angrily with life. They beat us insistently, and he bore it well but I had to bite my lip to stop the screams. We clasped our hands together tightly until he was torn from grasp. Death had finally come, and I would be alone. He slipped through the waters, pulled through the canals of black, and I was left to wonder if my fate would tear me apart as well. A surging wave, and I was next, pulled underwater and dragged through the suffocating night. Mother, do not abandon us in our hour of need!
A soft light envelopes me as my head breaks through the tunnels, and the sound of anxious droning are drowned out by the salve of her voice: we made it out alive. Praise Mother, She Who Lives Among The Light! A thousand years of life to her!
He and I were swaddled together, our new Mother embracing us as one, her eyes filled with the sorrow and life of one who had seen too much. But Mother’s smile is one of peace and balance. My heart calms, and I know she will not abandon us to earthly desires.
Mother smells of fire, the South Winds, and treetops. Father was perfumed in snow, moonlight, and horses. My brother and I decided to keep judgement to ourselves, for our parents loved us wholeheartedly. We understood that we would not be given over to wilful cruelty, that was not in their vocabulary. Our lives would unfold as the Great Mother Sun saw fit, and I was prepared to embrace this. But in the depths of my heart, I must ask: would our parents be willing to embrace it as well?
Header artwork by @karmatic_red_lily on Instagram
Leave a Reply