We could be pirates

This patch of land is for us to conquer. There are trees, forests. There are rivers, waterfalls. There are people, villages. This will be our own kingdom, the place where trees will bend to make way when we arrive. The beasts will instantly become tame once we set foot on the luscious white sand. This land will be our island, palm leaves fanning the insecurities away. Parrots will land on our arms gently, almost silently descending from topless trees. Snakes from Amazonian paths will straighten themselves to make our way easily accessible. The way we will charge forward. Unabashed, almost ecstatic from the long senseless journey, beading sweat rolling down our temples, clothes worn and mind puzzled from the intoxicating chance, the inexplicable chance of becoming owners of plants, animals and men alike. Masters of wondrous creatures, obediently subservient, magnificently different, unexpectedly humble.              

I already know what you are going to tell me. The moon is full and shines a brassy look onto your sunken cheeks. The words need not hit the drums of my ears. They need not be formulated by your worried mouth. The heavy air of dusk covers the distance between your eyes and mine. Predicting the next move, holding onto the moment until it comes and destroys the hope that we have been keeping. Just a little while longer. Just a little longer for both our sakes. Below our feet the gaping valley, the mesmerising waterfall, the vapour and the light breaking into distinct colours of the rainbow. This is what we must leave to travel to new lands? This is what you will leave to find new pastures, new companions, new winds to set your sails in? I already guessed what you were going tell me. Could you tell me tomorrow?

This is the moment when all the moon’s golden rays shine on me. Around the rock where I stand the night creatures are gathering, chirping and thumping, clinking and silently swishing with their wings of astonishing magnitude. This is your unsuitable leader, your captain of little knowledge. This is your guide without a compass, this is your true voice without chords that could churn out songs like songbirds often do. In this night, the first night of so many, brace yourselves! Brace your wings and hoofs, your legs and beaks; brace that space in your hearts that allowed a hapless fool to charge your forces forwards and onwards. We are the pirates of the night, we are those who make the day wish to linger longer. For us the moon rises sooner, the sun stays to wink each time it slowly sets. The horizon turns orange then blood red and we know. We know so full heartedly that our time has come. We must hold ransom the thoughts that arrive to paralyse the able mind and body. That haunt the soul and trick it into questioning its own right. We must chase and intimidate the lurking thoughts of self doubt. Like true pirates we must seize and capture, forever make these cold uncertainties disappear. Take the fight and settle with the thought that we might lose an eye, might leave a leg or a hand behind. We might come back limping, surface with permanent battle wounds, scars that will take almost all our lives to heal. Like a shield we must stand as one, protect our soft parts, deflect the approaching aches, repel the spears that aim to nail our spirits, our wings, our fearful tentacles mercilessly to the ground. 

This land is ours, for now we roam it you and me. The words you speak hurt me, then the hurt turns to longing and before long to love. Sometimes you leave, some other times I do. We take our hearts with us, seldom leaving them to older chests. When the cool breeze comes to signal the arrival of the starry night, we hold off on the words, halt the thoughts, stay silent and unteach our parrots these words of goodbye. For a little while longer, to prepare, to ready for the battle. Just for one night stay silent. Just for one night do not say the words. Just for a little longer stay the way you are and please, could you only tell me tomorrow?