The Harvester's Son
It's the harvest. But apples aren't the only thing being taken. Take my hand, lest you be shaken.
Running beneath the Autumn trees
While Goldenrods danced with bees
I stumbled across an overgrown pass
By a starlit lake made of glass
An old sign what with Ivy strewn
Appeared whilst clouds unveiled the moon
And what was written where time hadn't won
"Here lives the Harvester and his son."
Snap
My head spun round and heartbeat quickened
Vision blurred as the forrest thickened
For the Harvester was known around these parts
As an eccentric man who harvested hearts
As I turned to run far from this place
A brilliant light shone in my face
The sun was rising and it reflected
On something I never would have expected
Golden hair past broad shoulders flowing
In the early morning light seemed to be glowing
Like fire amongst the the warm, crisp leaves
Ethereal in the Autumn breeze
The young man strode a stone's throw away
His countenance, such an elegant display
As he entered an orchard of apples fair
My misty eyes saw his feet were bare
Against all wisdom and logical will
I found myself following him, breath was still
He was descending with an apple in hand, from a tree
And though his back was turned, threw it to me
Startled, I caught it, surprise clearly written
He turned, and I saw his eyes were frostbitten
Uncommon to see, eyes so milky white
I gasped, but I was free from fright
"I heard you," he spoke, voice a gentle whisper
"Go on, throw your stones." It turned to a whimper
"Why would anyone do that, in all the skies?"
"Because I am the son whose father stole his eyes."
He spoke of a rumor I knew all too well
The Harvester took his son's sight to sell
He was desperate, and the witch needed it for a spell
And the son was forced in this forest to dwell
As goosebumps rose, I asked, "What's your name?"
"I have none." Autumn turned his hair to a flame
I took a step closer, the boy caught his breath
My fingers brushed his cheek, they we as cold as death
At my touch, he fled, quick as a doe
Blindness hinders him not, lingers is his woe
I cried and I searched but all in vain
I felt his pain. With his absence, magic slain
I wandered home in a trance, mouth agape
The mist and leaves around me drape
All thoughts ensnared by a boy with eyes of white
He became my obsession at every twilight
I returned and returned, path now familiar
As the Autumn leaves died, we welcomed Winter
Walking hand in hand, chilled to the bones
I became the girl who did not bring stones
I met every rock and tree as he introduced his forest home
He told me though his sight is gone, he just wants to roam
Forethoughtfulness gone, I braved the cold each night
To help the boy I fell in love with gain back his sight
"Take my hand," I said, "we're going on a journey."
Sun-kissed hair caressed his face, stardust eyes were blurry
"You know not of all the things that live beyond your forest,
Of all the mountains, deserts, oceans, singing together in chorus."
And so we left. To wander, wander, far as we dared
Far from the apple orchard where our first touch was shared
We would not return for many years for there's so much to touch
So that my Autumn boy's eyes would not be a crutch
At our return, our nostrils filled, dark scent of smoke
And at this scent, milky eyes simply... awoke
And my heart crumbled at the voice, sweet as honeycomb
Scream and weep, for his first sight: the Harvesters burnt down home
And it was on that Winter's night I learned something I shan't forget
That the Harvester, against all stories, was far from a threat
That he loved, cared, nurtured, and gave all that he collected
So full of light, society labeled him infected
Frozen flurries now danced around his bones, charred
And my boy wept, wept, wept, his home now a graveyard
I learned his mother left, giving birth to a son disabled
And the Harvester was thought to go mad, as what was fabled
I swept him up and held him close, tears now frozen
As I felt his trembling form, I knew that I was chosen
"My love, you'll ne'er be alone, be that as it were
Come now, dry your eyes, for I will be your Harvester."
And he looked at me, and SAW me, for the very first time
He ran his fingers through my hair and said, "You're really mine?"
I simply smiled and met his eyes, now a shocking blue
"You harvested my heart, and I will always belong to you."
About the Creator
Julie Breeze
That's what I long to be.
A breeze.
Never in one place, forever flying, a breathe of fresh air; a sigh of relief.
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