Wings
The unreachable sky
Wandering through the vast and hollow earth, only able to experience half of it.
That had been my life until I met her.
On a cloudy, but nevertheless sunny day, I followed a white bird, in hopes of finding that, which I am lacking. Yet, the creature led me to a tremendous tree, its variety of branches making it whole, the opposite of me. As without my other self, all the apples gracing the tree standing before me are beyond reach. Regardless of how much I yearn for the “unacquirable”.
As my darkest thoughts were about to consume me, the hand of a young girl, in it a shimmering red apple, was extended in my direction. Only after hearing her words of reinforcement, was I able to accept her gift of kindness towards me, cherishing it.
Through this encounter we gradually grew closer, enabling me to see her broken wing, her incompleteness.
While we were distantly observing the soaring birds from a branch, I saw the unbearable frustration on her face. The anger and sadness of the insufficient. However, instead of staying silent, she straightened up and took flight, hoping her only wing would carry her where she desires, such as those of the boundless birds did. Yet, gravity soon pulled her to the place, the cage where she should linger.
Pretending everything went according to her visualization, she encouraged me to try the same. And so, I set all of my trust in the merged black feathers on my back, which were as well incomplete.
Instead of seeing that, which I could not grasp, I was overwhelmed by the wide sky, allowing the space for me to set foot in this incomprehensible realm of different shades of blue. Once I shifted my focus to the ground, I was supported by her gentle touch, preventing me from falling.
Impelled to repeat the short experience of freedom, the girl ran towards the apple tree, possessing an endless height. Determined to follow and scared of being left behind, I gathered the courage to climb a few branches, but I was unable to go on since my shaking feet wouldn’t allow me to do so. She, who saw me struggle similarly to the first time we met, stretched her hand out once more.
Just as she had been the same person as then, I had equally been indifferent, hesitating identically.
Suddenly, I saw the branch threatening to give out, but my attempt to return her gesture was too late. Unable to watch as a force was about to tear her to the ground, I leaped into nothingness, trusting in reaching her, before the earth does, in order to shield her from the fall.
Though at the moment that I clung to her, the unimaginable occurred, both of our flaws complemented each other, allowing us to fulfill our dreams, to fly and be truly free.
This is the first time I could turn my weakness into someone else’s strength.
The original animated version is by 청강졸업작품 (Chungkang Animation). Please give them your support, as their sincere animation gave me the inspiration to write this piece.
I thank you for taking the time to read through my short story/poem and wish you all a wonderful ✮Merry Christmas✮
Our imperfectness is what defines us as human beings, so don’t be too hard on yourselves.
See you next time.
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