The Great Wall of China

I walk forward now. To the end of the pier. I watch the water for a while. The wind is blowing my hair across my face. I don't mind it though. It lightly touches my eyelashes. It's the next closest thing to a hand on my face.

The sea breeze bounces down my jacket. I shiver, but the air is warm. My mouth begins to frown. There is no one else. I am alone. Not even God could touch me here.

The waves are breaking slowly. The sky is dancing with color. Orange, Purple, and Blue together in harmony. The clouds are reaching for the horizon. The sun pauses for me. The moment sits still.

Suddenly, my ears are alive with sound. I can hear laughing, singing, dancing, crying, moaning, screaming.

My fingers are alive with touch. I can feel someone sharing, holding, caressing, grasping, pulling, beating.

I am back to where I began. Tears roll down my cheeks. My hand moves to my lips as they begin to quiver. My body is in a heap. I grab my sides. I am alone. I am selfish.

The sun resumes its course. The clouds disappear. The colors fade away. The sky darkens. The waves remain static.

It is late now. A gentle breeze tickles my face. It is cold, but I do not shiver. I look up into the black night. The moon illuminates the pier. I stand up slowly like a puppet. There is no reason to go back, but it is not my choice.

Then my ears come alive again. This time it comes from the breach way. I look behind me and spot someone. They come towards me. I turn back and stare solemnly at the water. My eyes focus to a point on the horizon that doesn't exist.

They are next to me now. Nothing is said. They turn to me. I remain focused on my nothingness, but I notice. Without warning they pull me close. I am suddenly being embraced.

My body begins to shake. I don't know what to do, but I rest my head on their chest. I hear their heart rythmically pounding. It doesn't change at all. They are warmer than the breeze. Their voice shatters the sounds in my head. I am hopelessly lost now. I squeeze them back. I don't want to let go. I don't want to be alone. I am not alone anymore.

Our hands meet. Then we turn and head down the pier. As we step off the pier, I turn back one last time and catch a glimpse of a small girl standing where I had been. She is watching the static waves, the glowing moon, and the black sky.

She is alone. But I am not.