Dreamers (9-29-1991)

Dreamers

Crouching amidst a clump of saw grass, she waits patiently. Behind her the sleepy blue gray sky is just beginning to blush with the rays of the morning sun. Her orange checkered dress offers her slender legs little protection from the nippy wind darting about the sand dune; so she tucks them up into the womb of her ratty once yellow sweat shirt.

Perched on Shaa Dossa hill se has a panoramic view of the forest and nearby ocean with its waves rearing impatiently like frisky colts eager for breakfast. She excitedly smiles as the sun swells over the crest of the hill sending her shadow oozing like hot tar down the dune.  At the base of the dune it is absorbed by a pool of water. Like frozen glass he pond remains empty of reflections. 

The energy in the cool air rises and sets the saw grass bristling around her. Shedding her clothes she rises to stand naked in the sun.

The mule deer dance like fairies across the damp dunes. Their chiseled hooves bring up dry sand and sent it skittering across the darker surface. One by one they halt in a staggered rows at the edge of the still pond. Like a conductor signaling the start of a symphony, a buck lowers his velvety lips to the water and disturbs the enchanted surface. The pond quivers and comes to life.

The wind tickles her body with sand as the saw grass pokes accusingly at her tan legs. 

“Dreamers” she softly calls to the herd.

So musically is her young voice that only a few graceful scooped ears flick her way. They sense no threat in this naked child as she glides down the slope. A buck pulls up his head and watches her with water dribbling erratically from his swaying mouth.

Joining the deer she kneels next to them at the edge of the shimmering liquid. Reaching towards the magical pond she waits. The wind gusts and blows swiftly across the water sending it rippling to her outstretched hands. With her tongue she gently licks the water crystals from her sandy finger tips. Her eyes meet  a does eyes in the mirror of the pond. 

The suns light finally reaches the tiny lake and shatters like quicksilver across the surface. Her reflection dissipates with the fleeing deer as they bound through the pond. When the water stills, only her clothes and pool of murky rainwater  trapped between the sand dunes remain.