Non-existent Beauty

Before the sun starts to rise I awaken from my warm bed and step out onto the veranda. I look about me and a feeling of dread rushes through my bones. How has time changed? So fast were the trees knocked down, the land cleared, dug up and repacked. The houses built, the little animals with nowhere to live. 1

I sigh as I look at the sight of the smoke rising from chimneys, smoke which will soon choke the birds high above. Its still dark and I can see all the street lights clogging up the view. So many of them, at least one on every corner. I look to the sky but cant see any stars for the city lights are to bright. Houses stand tall, taller then the trees. Which there aren’t many of, two maybe three that I can see. The tallest in the street stands in my front yard, standing taller then my house. 2

Anyone would look at this view and say what such construction, all I can think is what such destruction. The sun slowly begins to rise higher in the sky. A train takes off from the station far away yet still sounds so loud, loud enough that I almost miss hearing a tiny noise. I look to my tree, and see a small bird start singing to the morning light, and for a moment I’m taken away to a place which doesn’t exist. 3

I’m looking out over a vast forest, trees both small and tall, so many that I couldn’t count. Bark of all colours, plants of every type. I can almost smell the wild flowers blossoming in spring. The morning dew on their petals makes them look so soft that if I were to reach out and touch them, no matter how softly, they would brake. 4

Butterflies dance in the spring sun that’s peeking through gaps in the trees, to land in pools on the fallen leaves that scatter about the ground. Birds are flying joyously high above. Little animals climbing from tree to tree, enjoying the warmth of the morning sun. 5

Its quiet all about, yet when I close my eyes and open my ears to that of the world I can hear its song. The birds are singing the most breath taking tunes, so in depth I feel I can almost understand what there signing. Frogs croak along to there melodies. The light breeze rustles the leaves making there own chimes. All these sounds and more are like music to my ears.6

I let the forest take me in while I soak up all its glory. To look out upon such beauty is peace in itself. Never have I seen the earth so rich. Never have I felt the air so thin, so sweet and fresh. Never has the moon looked so white as it slowly leaves the sky, welcoming the sun into the world once more, to tinge the sky with light. All the colours of the world, red, blue, green, orange all so full and rich, never will you see a colour so full of life. This place is my heaven, my peace of mind, my rainbow. With in it I feel most divine. 7

Then suddenly a car drives by as someone is off to work and just as suddenly my world shatters. Instantly I’m brought back to the sight of tall houses and skyscrapers, the smell of car fumes and smoke. The little bird that had been singing flew off to find its food and continue in its daily routine of survival. The smoke grew thicker in the skies as people awake and stir their fires. I sigh again and think, once there was a time when I could look out to a world of beauty. Once there was a time.8