The alien creature floats gently in the early morning breeze. Shrouded in darkness the spindly form bounces up and then floats down, hovering in the same spot tethered by a thin reed, delicately holding it in place. It’s arms strain outward as the breeze carries the creature upward and then spread outward again as it floats down to resume its watch over the darkened shapes below. What is this creature doing? What does it watch for? What bounty will it’s vigilant watch over the night bring?
The quiet stillness continues to beg that question as morning dew begins to gather on the leaves below. The only motion is the delicate up and down of the alien, arms and legs sprawled out as it hovers above. No sound, only the consistent sway. Erratic in behavior but consistent in position, the alien watches carefully, waiting. The moments continue to tick by. Soundless motion surrounded in constant stillness. What is the purpose of this vigilance? What is the reason for hovering in this one spot, shrouded in mystery? This one spot protruding out from thousands and thousands of other equally mysterious shapes?
Complete darkness, highlighted by the blackness of the horizon behind the shape climbs once again and then floats back down. My question remains unanswered, the subject of my query unaware of my focus remains ever stationary, slowly swaying up and down in the gentle morning breeze. Will I ever know why this creature has decided to take up residence in this particular spot, over this particular area of the garden?
Then suddenly, in a triumphant blaze, the sun peaks above the horizon. the first ray of sunshine splashes through a pair of distant boulders and there the first morning light comes piercing through the valley like a beam of intense laser light fired from a spaceship. The ray of light comes flashing through the night sky and there in a magnificent answer to my question the light reveals the object of my focus.
A lonely branch of leaves, spread out, stretching beyond brothers and sisters. Floating ever so gently, but positioned perfectly to capture that first ray of morning light.
Guy Reams
