Woodlands

 I wondered when I would come across her again.

Centuries passed, many forms came and went in between. Now and then I wondered what she was up to, where and who she’d been on Earth. Perhaps if she had ever been beyond it. Yes, we are not restricted to just the realm of this one planet. It’s where I am from, and where I have always been until now, though there are of course other places we are sometimes needed, other energy paths where we can flow, where Life thrives, but those places are very, very far. I don’t know if I will ever make such a journey, so far away from my Earth home.  

One day in the middle of summer, at home in a delightful little form in the woodlands, I found her. We were both feathered and small, light enough to dart through the air, perch upon the smallest bottlebrush twigs. It was a quiet life, a peaceful one. In those times there was not much that was a threat to us, save the hawks. It’s funny, even knowing that life continues on, it doesn’t inhibit one’s fear of mortal dangers, no matter the form. I’ve grown to understand that every life, every single form we are assigned to is precious and not one of them is to be wasted.  

I came across her in just the next area of the woods along, to the east, where the salt breezes crept up from the coast. She was plain brown and beautiful, soft and perfect, sipping nectar like honey and pretending she didn’t notice me.

The lighter colour of her breast was inviting, like cloud, just waiting to be drowned in. I was bright, striking scarlet, black and grey, though somehow I seemed far more drawn to her than she to me. But I knew her, from before. I felt that, maybe even if she didn’t remember me, she would know me still. So I waited patiently, and when she still didn’t come I fanned my feathers, called to her, flitted around showing off, begging her to put me out of my misery and just come over. It had been centuries, after all. And last time I’d spent my life running to her, only to die in her embrace.

At long last, the game was up and she smiled and chirped as she came to me. When we finally touched she gave a sudden start, like she’d been shocked – and I guess you would be, if you’d not been expecting it, like I had.

She leaned in to me and we were home.

I held her, my love, and I never wanted to let go.

I found you, I said.

I nuzzled into her soft neck, and smelt the sharp, sweet tang of oranges.

Where are the orange trees? I asked. There must be an orchard nearby.      

What are orange trees? She replied.

I remembered where I was and said, never mind.