Gaia

Over a millennia ago he came to earth, where he intented to take his final rest. Before that he spent centuries drifting across galaxies, aimless and alone.

He was so tired. No matter where he went, who he befriended or came close to loving, it was never enough. He could no longer endure his insatiable sadness.

He solemnly entered earth’s atmosphere. He flew across wondrous terrains, and saw the most magnificent of creatures. He appreciated their splendor, yet, they didn’t compel him to bask even for a moment.

However, passing over a meadow nestled in the mountains, he noticed the most alluring flower. She was dancing. She moved as if she were the air itself. And he breathed. He breathed her in. He breathed in new life. Inhale--he felt oxygen fill each lung. He cherished each breath as it sent tingles through his body. He felt warmth for the first time. And his cheeks and whole body were flushed. Heat festered from deep within him. She lit his flame. She was bewitching. She was burned in his spirit.

She was radient. She had a curvaceous frame. Her cheeks and lips were a crimson that divinely complimented her bronzed skin that glittered in the sun. Her bare body twirled gracefully shielded by only the length of her, in a mix of browns and gold. She was otherworldly.

She moved like flowers bloomed. She was sweeter than any spring’s berry. Each impression her foot left in the grass imprinted on his heart. His gaze never left her. He hovered above her at just the right angle. When she moved, so did he. She moved to the right; he circled around her to the left. Their very own waltz went on for what he wished would never end.

In the next moment, she tilted her head back with her arms wide in a pirouette. Her hair was flowing around her. And her eyes opened. Her eyes, that were greener than the grass she stood on, met his. Time stood still.

She smiled. She spun. She laughed. She laughed so hard that she fell to the ground. She gazed up at him beckoning for him to join her. So he did. He laid down quietly. And she looked back up to the sky. He watched. He watched her. But she never said a word. They simply existed.

Her contentment was like nothing he had ever seen and all that he wished to feel. And so, he did. He felt.

They spent years together. They swam in creeks. They hiked mountains They ran with horses. She watched him soar with eagles. He watched her play with butterflies. They lived. And they loved.

Years went by and it was time for her to take her last breath. She exhaled. And he wept. He cried soft tears. And he wailed. He cried tears of sadness and tears of joy. He cried tears of thanks, even in his angst.

He was grateful for the life he was given in her. He poured all that he was into each cry he rained on her face as he cradled her quiet body in his lap. He mourned. Then he took her to the place where they first met and buried her there. And as he returned her to the earth, it shook. It was as if the earth was welcoming her home.

He could no longer bear to walk the world that she loved without her. So he left carrying the burden of his heavy heart. It was so heavy that he didn’t know if he could travel to even one more planet, or star, without her. Dwelling on such a task as he once again entered space,he looked down at the earth. He didn’t have the energy to consider why, but he noticed the earth tilted differently than before. As he stared down at his life’s home, and closed his eyes, he made one plea to the universe. He begged to see her one more time.

His wish was granted.

Moments later while his heart slowed, pieces of space rock slowly built around his body as it eased to a stop. Craters formed. And the moon was created.

It is said that when the earth shook Gaia became its spirit. And she tilted it on its axis so that she could dance unabashed. When Leo became the moon, he never turned his face from her. From then on, for them time stood still, time went on, time didn’t exist. They transcended together.