the light
While at Walgreen's with boy picking up his prescriptions I found this LED lantern. Styled like old timey lanterns are but with a light that does not blow out. I stared at it... Imaging myself searching for a lost child in the woods. Snow crunching under my feet. The light of it casting a circle about the found cold boy just as the edge is catching the gleam of wolves' eyes as they realize they will have to find another meal. Or perhaps I could stand out on the shores of Lake Mendota some night. Pitch black. The lonely wail of wind. A ship lost on the water, the crew hopeless. As I raise my sole lantern in the darkness. A beacon of hope for those poor men. Standing at the edge of the lake, arm out stretched, lantern high, skirts blowing around me, my scarf wiping back and forth... They see that single light. Heading toward it, not knowing if I am mermaid or maiden. If I am maker or saint. I am end or hope... And then boy comes up behind and puts his arms around me. "Nice lantern," he says, "You could be quite forlorn with that"... AND THAT FOLKS is why my boy gets me.