Time's Corner

Time seemed to stand still. The rain dripped ever so slowly off the windowpane. London looked more lifeless than ever. No people. No laughter. No carriages. Nothing. The only life on Hiram ave, was the occasional glimpses of the Learys lighting the lamp posts. The fog was thick. Thicker than ever. The sun came up and went back down unseen. For days and days I sat there waiting. Waiting for It to happen. Waiting for the answer, but each night It did not come. I kept telling myself that someday I would see It. The clouds would part and life would begin. Time would unfreeze. But everyday the corner where It once stood, moved farther and farther away. No answer. The birds sat in their trees, and not one sang a tune. They were waiting.

Day and night I sat and watched; the picture burned into my mind.  I did not move, for fear of missing It. It would only come once, and I will know. Days dragged on. Days turned into weeks. No answer. Months passed and only years remained. I sat there, waiting. The window was my only comfort. It was worth every second. Slowly everyday I would move closer to the outside. It knew. The door beckoned me, but I could not move. I was glued; I only moved when I was supposed to, when I was meant to. The door became closer, the only thing that changed. The corner stopped moving away. It stood still waiting for its guest . Inviting It. It was almost ready. Time was almost perfect.

Soon days would be filled with glory and the past would be just a blur. It's only a matter of time, we would all forget our troubles. The birds would sing, the clouds would disperse, fog would clear. The sun would show itself, families would return to the streets and laughter would consume the air. Shops would fill, words would taste like sweet candy.  Colors would be back to fill their empty pictures. The days were beginning to dwindle down. I could feel it. Keep waiting I tell myself.  I had that feeling. The feeling of waiting for a loved one to return home, the feeling of opening a gift, the feeling your having right now. Close your eyes. Imagine a place with comfort and content, a place filled with happiness. That's what It would bring.

I gaze at the corner, waiting. Just like everyone. Eyes glued to the brick. Everyone knew what was to come. The sun began to peak in between the clouds, the yellow radiance gleamed down and embraced the corner bathing it in everlasting splendor. The fog is still thick, waiting for its turn. Moments later, the clouds once again moved in front of the sun, blocking its view. Everyday the sun stayed out a little longer. The birds flitted and fluttered, restless. Waiting to make a sound, to sing a tune. The countless nights produced stars, hidden among the thick blanket of fog, far away in a different realm, blinking, holding still, as not to distract.

Then it happened. Time was no longer a hindrance. The wind picked up and cleared the fog. The fog regretfully said its goodbyes. Time was nearly right. The sun stayed out all day, only being pushed away when the moon was ready. The door opened, creating an entrance. It wanted me so I followed. Close your eyes once more. Smell the air...the streets... the sun. Taste the warmth and  feel the readiness. It was ready, but was I? Creatures stepped over their threshold, smelling, tasting, feeling. The time had almost come. Only one thing left to do. The corner. We had to meet It there. It would not come if It was not wanted, not needed. It was hiding, waiting behind the corner. Just turn and I would see it. We would see it. It would take years, decades. It was worth it. Waiting was all I had to do.

It was almost as if a hand had fastened on to my waist. Don't you feel it?  Its bringing us closer, and all we can do is wait. Wait for it to bring me to my destination. Everyone else was the same, felt the same. Just like me and you. Slowly walking. A pulse in my chest  let me know. It was ready. My heart raced, my mind blanked, my spirits rose. No more watching out the windows. The birds began to sing. No more restless days. The sun gleamed brighter than ever before. No more rain filled days and saddened hearts. No more despair or hopelessness. The corner became closer and closer. I shall have my answer, we all shall.

Time has arrived. My feet sink into the ground, the floor is wet cement…..quick sand. Every step harder to take the next. My feet melted to the earth as I drew nearer. Every breath, ticking away at the clock. I could almost feel It, taste It, touch It. I could hear Its aliveness. And now the tables have turned. It was waiting for me, for you, for all of us. It would get tired of waiting. It would move on if we didn't arrive. We have to hurry. Only, I couldn't. Our steps lingeried. So many more ahead of us. Does It know? The sun begins to slowly hide. When the moon arrived, It would be gone. Time was of the essence, it always has been.

Fear filled my heart. Passion, readiness, and exhaustion filled my soul. The fire within me engulfed, making no difference in my movement. I glance, behind me, looking for you, yet you are not there. I look and look, only to see you... in front of me. Surely you will get to see It. You will get to see the beauty, wonder, happiness, and  excitement, while I'm stuck. Behind. In darkness, filled with despair. If only I could have moved faster. Speed up time. If only. My wishes were heard. My limbs moved faster, I began to pick up my pace. You are already there peering around the corner, hand grasped against the wall. I have almost reached It. I can almost outstretch my hand. Feel the cold brick against my fingers.

You disappear around the corner. I grasped the wall, the cold stone cooled my hand. Afraid to peek around, things raced through my mind. Weeks, months, years, and  decades of waiting. I will get my answer . But this is it. If I look around the corner, everything's over. Is that what I want? I gather my courage and peek past the corner. Instantly the yellow light embraces me, blinds me. I watch as glorious things appear. Yes I see it. Exactly what you are seeing right now. It's wonderful, beautiful, exquisite. Everything is exactly the way we imagined and more.  You have already been invited, you are following. I turn to move my feet, to follow too. I am once again glued, but it doesn't matter. I have seen what I was supposed to see, what I was meant too.

The corner turns into another gloomy dark street. I am once again with darkness, in my surroundings and within me. I wasn't meant to go, maybe I never will be. I gently slide down the brick corner, filled with despair. This was supposed to be it. All that time I sat and waited for nothing. It felt like I was sitting there for hours. Nothing to do, nothing to see. I missed It, it was gone and shall never return.

A familiar warm hand touches my shoulder. I look up into the sparkling, glorious eyes of you. You extend your hand, suggesting for me to take it. It is so close. I reach for it and hold tight, as if my life depended on it. You pull me up and lead me to a small glowing silver lining. We go through it together. Together. I am no longer alone. On the other side of the lining I am immediately immersed in the same environment. Sunshine. Happiness. Glory. My answer. It is there. I have made it. All the troubles, all the burdens. It was all for this. All the heartaches, and all the despair. I experienced them for a reason. To get to It, I had to carry through. It was worth it. I was never waiting, I was accomplishing. Time was of the essence.