I wish the stones of my thoughts and dreams were hard and colored, so I can dip my sifter into the stream. Rich reflections are sometimes revealed despite the muddy disguise, which I send back to the unconscious. I lift and inspect each marvel, often fooled by wrong gold. Yet there are many streams from which we can sift, many stones that look like gold. What I enjoy most is watching the beavers and rats and tiny fish weave in and out of my world, scurrying into their dens, shelters, puddles. It's really their world.
Looking up, I inhale hearty wafts of grass-scented air. Uncut and growing wildly, it bends with the wind, revealing pale waves of green that extend over hills, fallen trees, and around bushes.
My hand finds the chain around my check and I lightly grasp it with my index and thumb. A simple beaded pull-chain with a Coke can cap dangling from the bottom. I blink slowly. It was the drink I had while my grandfather passed. A constant reminder of sacrifice and love and pride. Is it OK to lose your pride over someone you love? Absolutely. Is it OK to lose someone you love over your pride? No.
What do you say, fish? Do your thoughts flicker as fast as your lips pucker? Do ambitions drive me as does your tail for you? And you, rat. Sleek rodent of water, does the fish satisfy your hunger for life? I watch as you paw the silver shiner to your mouth, tearing off chunks of flesh. Wipe your face, there are scales all over it. Filthy little bastard.