…is what we are. A great archipelago of man. We build bridges to other islands and for those who we really trust and love we give free passes to go and come as they please. Often the ones that really counts are the ones that stays and helps us build things of magnificent architecture and beauty. In return we offer them all of our natural resources so that they also may construct everything they might need, both by pleasure as by necessity. It’s give and receive and all about love. Crafted from the very essence of friendship and joy, the bridges grow stronger and firmer. As time passes, some islands live so closely together they all seem like one, merging to unfathomable sizes, dwarfing the greatest of continents.
Yet others who once prospered and built for the future, are now barely visible. They used up what little natural resources they had to create those true bridges we all seek but few of us ever find. With their last hope of replenish what they once had, they gave it all away. As their bridges burn and slowly plunge to the waters around them, whatever they built crumbles down and in time all that once was them will fade and be lost like tears in rain.
You came to my island and asked me to let you in. Reluctant at first, as I knew from before to safely guard my borders, I later opened up all of my land for you. You showed me your plans for our new home where the sun never sets and the rain only poured down while we were at sleep. Filled with hope I chopped down every tree, piled every stone and glued them together with my own blood to build you the castle I thought you deserved. At first you gave me everything I needed and although some storms tried to declare war, we always manage to find refuge in our love. But that was then… before THE Storm.
What seemed like small waves turned into a fury of the seas. All that surrounded us filled the air with rage and as the waters around us scour our shores, the bridge we thought was solid, started to crack. Scared and disoriented we turned back to our very selfs isolating us from each other in our own islands. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. Circumstances where to blame but how do you reason with circumstances? Day and night I tried to repair my side of the bridge hoping you’ll choose to do the same with yours. A year passed and still you would do little or nothing to unite our soils again. Ignoring my own demise I kept on building, endlessly hoping one day you’ll meet me there as I exhausted might see you finish the last steps of the bridge. But no. By mere self preservation I took what little strength I had left and turned back. As I for the first time in a long time looked back to my own island I gazed upon a sight I no longer recognized. Far away where the dreams of the beautiful and the glorious. Alone I stood in the wasteland of my own demise wondering where it all went. My dreams? My hopes? Myself? This was my darkest hour. Every breath seemed to be the last one and as I dropped my teary eyes into my shaky hands, for a moment, I ceased to exist. I realized that I no longer had anything to shelter me from the storm. And the storm was coming.
But as it’s always darkest just before dawn, someone reached out for me. First one hand, then another one and another one. From bridges I’ve built a long time ago came those who really cared and heard my silent cry for help. It was merely a whisper from a broken spirit in the night, almost drowning from the sound of the stormy waves around me… but they heard. The brought life giving water and planted strong seeds of friendship to rebuild my home and my life. Unconditional smiles and blankets of joy sheltered me from the cold nights. Slowly, the fading silhouette that was I, turned again in to a colorful being. Life rushed in my veins again. The half finished bridge still stood there representing both hope and darkness. My heart skipped a beat every time I saw it. It was time for me to burn it down, once and for all.
With my soul screaming in agony because of this deed, I set it on fire and turned away. I couldn’t stand to watch it burn. As the smoke rose in the horizon, I knew that the flames were consuming everything I once tried to build with love… piece after piece, brick after brick. Soon it would all be gone and the void after you, how ever painful, was a necessary evil for me to survive. Sadly, it took this action from my part for you to realize what you where loosing. From your shores you shouted, yet again promising me everything while you did everything to pour water on the burning bridge. I heard your call but knew I had to stay firm. Yet you were persistent. By every means you showed me the world I’ve been craving for the last year. I decided to hear you out. One thing lead to another. Soon I was out on the burning bridge doing whatever repair I could do with my limited means. Nothing mattered but to be with you again. Hope started to arise again.
Suddenly you turned away again, your promises withdrawn and our future mortgaged once more. Left was only the offer of a vague agreement, written in the sand by a stormy sea disclosing nothing that one day, many years from now, would allow me to hold you old hand in mine. This was what you offered and as such, this was what I declined. This would only be the path to my death and that I could not agree to. The bridge has to come down, once and for all.
Still you keep calling out for me. You disguise your egoism in the question of “How are you?” knowing perfectly well that every time I hear from you, you’re twitching the blade in my heart once more. I gave you all I ever could give but for whatever reason, it just wasn’t enough or maybe just wasn’t what you wanted, I guess I’ll never know. Now, I have nothing left to give you. I can’t offer you friendship only as my feelings for you are beyond that. I can’t offer you consolation when you’re sad as I no longer can afford to give and not receive. And this all hurts because somewhere deep there’s still a dream of all the beautiful and glorious and your old hand holding mine… but I guess it’s not for us… not now…and it hurts… hurts like hell! Still…
There are no goodbyes, there’s only love… but the bridge must fall so that we may rise and live again.
I love you…