I’ve made it to the surface.
17 years. 17 years spent in darkness. Dank and confined. I sustained myself on whatever nutrients and scraps I encountered, often days between meals. In order to move I had to plough through thick layers of dirt unsure of what direction I was headed. Days gradually morphed into months which then changed into years. Eventually time lost all meaning as my existence became perilously monotonous.
Why was I down there? In my current state I had to go downwards. To stay on the surface would have been too dangerous. But I did not expect my stay below to last 17 years. But it has. I cannot reverse that. I can only go forth from this point. Behind me lies the exit to the tunnel, the tunnel that brought me back here. But my ordeal is not yet over.
I must get to higher ground. To remain out in the open like this is too dangerous. I scramble towards cover, seeking the safety of shadow. It is here that I begin climbing for the need to reach higher ground is a great one. Content with the hight I have reached I halt and tightly grip onto the branches of a bush. Here, numerous thoughts enter into my head. For the first time in 17 years I can see the suns rays, move openly in all directions and see the many textures of a world not enclosed in darkness. It feels so good, so amazing, so far away from the subterranean abyss I endured.
The final part of my tribulation begins. My skin begin to crack and split. Slowly but surely I emerge from the lifeless shell I am leaving behind. It is an arduous task, but one that brings with it immense relief and joy. Resting where my old life ended I allow my wings to dry in the sun, unfolding then hardening. I begin to reflect on my journey but I soon abandon such thoughts. Now is the time move on, not to remain stationary. Embracing my new circumstances I begin to sing loudly in the dusk air and after a few test flaps fly off, my destination unknown.
Image courteously of Wikipedia. Story based on the life cycle of a cicada: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicada (image present on the wiki entry.)
Golden Giraffes Riding Scarlet Flamingos Through The Desert of Forever 