Ashes of an Everlasting Home

My house is on fire. As of right now, I am witnessing how the burning blaze is consuming every single wall, piece of furniture and memory that has been living in this building for the last two years. I also noticed a caterpillar being part of the menu for the night. It is trapped within the burning structure, unable to escape and afraid of its incoming demise.

It was half an hour before midnight when it happened. In the previous week, I had already gathered the tools necessary to set my plan in motion. As I walked through the rooms of my home, the memories of these walls flashed before my eyes, freezing my body and urging me to reminisce about the early days when I built this place. I do not want to do this, but I have to.

Laughter, joy, and passion were filling the empty field that I had bought. This place was designated for something bigger. This empty piece of earth was meant to be an everlasting centre of love and growth. Compared to other houses, this building should contain a flexible structure, allowing it to adapt to its imperfect surroundings while being perfect within. Therefore, the older the house got, the better it became. Since special materials needed to be used for such a design, a high price needed to be paid. But it should be worth it.

Days, months, and years go by, and the promise of increasing perfection and stability has saved my life in several situations. Earthquakes, floods, and wildfires did cause damage to the facade of the house, but strengthened its interior and foundation, protecting it from the deadly challenges of the world. Since my house was able to withstand the biggest obstacles, I felt safe enough to make that place my home.

A week prior to the fire, the owner noticed a flaw within the house itself. Since the aim of this building was to encourage growth, it challenged me to improve myself and seek new challenges. Even though the intentions were right, its effect still caused damage. As time passed, the idea of a new challenge persisted within me. Another step needed to be taken in order to become a better version of myself.

The house, built as a place to encourage growth, became a place that needed to be left in order to grow. My urge to leave was also noticed by the house itself. The wooden walls started to turn black while the structure of the building, designed to last a lifetime, started to form cracks.

My home is going to collapse. To prevent a possible accident, I have decided to burn this place, creating space for others to build their home. Although my heart wanted to remain within the collapsing structure, my mind urged me to take the step and let two years of my life be consumed by the flames I had set.

While I witness the tragic fate of the caterpillar within the fire, I notice a stinging heat from my legs, wandering towards my heart. Only after looking down did I make myself aware of my own tragic fate. While the caterpillar might survive, I am meant to be the subject of a punishment I have put upon myself.

I am burning.