Wind in the Trees

Roar of Life

   How do you wish to be immortalized, Young One?
   In a battle cry that resounds
   O'er mountains and valleys,
   Striking fear into those who would thwart you
   And rallying those who stand by you?
   For the way you stand resilient
   Unwavering
   Even in the face of tumultuous waters?
   Or maybe, you'll live on
    In the changes you brought
    And the new life that sprung forth
    From your rains?
   What is it, that you wish to be known for?
   The way you stormed;
   The way you swept up the old
   So they could rebuild anew?
   Or the fire in your veins -
   At your  fingertips
   As you watched it all crash and burn?
   The new life you brought
   Fighting through the ashes
   Will remember you.
    Or perhaps,
    You will live on in all of those you touched,
   The caress of the sun on your back
   The calm whispers of the breeze
   The silence that follows the snowfall.
  
   Would you like
   Your being
   Carved in stone
    To keep watch; to be sure
    That you will never be forgotten?
    Stone erodes, young one.
    Even it,
    Falls away,
    To sand,
    To silt,
    To dust.

   The world will end, Young One.
   The lights will go out,
   And silence
   Will swallow you up.
   It will not end as it started.
   It will end,
   Not with a bang,
   But it will slowly
   S   l   o   w   l   y
   Fade
   Until there is no memory
   Of you at all.

   Your existence is fleeting, Young One.
   You will not find all that you want
   In one life time.
   So do what you can
   And live how you like.
   But I promise you,
   You will live on, in someway.

   So, tell me.

   How do you wish to be immortalized, Young One?
  
    

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Written 4-5-19
Published 10-9-19
290 words