• Secret Garden

    I blink my eyes in attempt to adjust to the dim light to no avail. Alone and shackled I sit in the dark waiting for someone to happen by and free me. I try and stand up but my limbs are weighed down by the wrought iron chains that have been doubled across my body. I slide my hands along each rust coated link, my flesh tasting the coarse metal ridges as I work my way around their curves. The faint light that scarcely illuminates the chamber only serves as a distraction to my mind and I find my eyes falling shut to embrace the serenity of darkness. I let consume me those senses that I take for granted every day, breathing in though my hands and seeing the echoes of my chains as the sound of their clatter brushing against one another washes over me. My fingers glide along the keyhole that rests over my heart and I take a deep breath, feeling the lock rise with my chest, falling as I exhale. I sense warmth above me and lift my chin to bask in its glow gradually opening my eyes.

    Overhead I spot a small hanging flower in a simple brown pot. The flower begins to blossom and showers down upon me a sweet pollen that speckles the room in hues of orange; I lean back to embrace its gift. The flower weeps a single seed from its eye and it drops down into the keyhole, nestled snugly, awaiting its nourishment. The beauty in an otherwise gloomy surrounding fills my heart with warmth that radiates through my chest and against the lock. I look down and see from the bottom of my eyes, the seed crack open and a delicate sprout emerges peering from its shelter. As the new life grows I feel the mechanism that holds these heavy chains together turn. The lock pops open and the chains fall to the ground. The sprout continues to transform and soon a sunflower stares back at me. I step aside and the flower leans forward, showing me the way. I follow it's gaze and wander over the orange speckled darkness, knowing only that the path I have taken is guiding me from confinement.

    I have long since left the flower behind, looking back I see it as a faint yellow sun in a sky of orange stars that dust the black emptiness I once knew as home. As I continue blindly ahead I see in the distance a long wall blocking my advance. The wall holds three doors, each one struggling to contain the light that threatens to burst through, clawing at the darkness from the cracks that line them. I make my way closer and when I can go no further I inspect each door for a clue as to which I should choose.

    One door glows the image of a brain and I find myself calm and confident in the presence of such solidity. I am assured that this door possesses the facts and truths that we all crave, that will bring a confused mind to a pleasant conclusion; I don't feel confused though, so I move on.

    One door glows the image of a heart and I find a spark deep inside me has begun to ignite something more. I feel once again the warmth that gave life to the sunflower, burning within my chest. The flames of passion grow hotter and my emotions start to run wild. In a panic I back away from the door and the fire subsides.

    I come to the third and final door and there glows a pair of wings. I remember the darkness, the sweet pollen, the beautiful colors, the flowers, the stars, the sun, the three doors that stand before me, the pair of wings and the freedom of my imagination that they symbolize. My mind soars beyond me, passing through the door, not waiting for me to decide. I grip the handle and open it wide. The light cascades over me and fills the darkness where I once stood. I walk through the doorway and blink my eyes in attempt to adjust to the blinding light. All that surrounds me comes into focus and I find myself in the center of a plot of lush flora particular to that only of my mind. A gentle grin creeps along my face before bursting toothy and wide from ear to ear. I step forward and feel something delicate grace my head with its presence; pulling a leaf from my hair I gaze up at a towering oak that houses the door to my mind. I place my hand against it's firm trunk and marvel in its vibrant health and stalwart image. I walk around the tree and notice a root leading off into the garden.

    I follow the root as it weaves around a pumpkin patch, pre-carved with faces that send shivers down my spine. I step over the pumpkins but they grasp at me, filling me with giddy fright.

    The root leads me along a path of roses that bleed off their crimson charm into the soil that so greedily laps it up. My heart sinks and tears well in my eyes, and yet, the crisp white roses that remain, leave me speechless with wonder; such bittersweet romance.

    The root veers off and I nearly trip over it as I break from my trance with the roses. I look on in despair as the root delves into a especially vicious patch of blackberries. Pacing back and forth I come to notice a small opening near the base of the bush and decide that my adventure cannot stop here. I drop to my stomach and crawl into the tangled mess of thorns, navigating prone along the winding path, surrounded by danger. I meet up with the root again and follow it to the center of the blackberry bush, where it opens into a clearing of daisies.

    I walk beside the final stretch of root and at its end it rests by a single sunflower. My eyes trace down the sunflower's stem to its base and I see a familiar lock, half buried in the fertile garden soil. This has all been brought to life with the nurturing of an imagination, watered with words, warmed by my heart... and it all started with a single flower. What a journey it has been.