Where I Was

I found myself in the red leaves when summer faded to fall. I found myself in the way the wind pulled them from their branches and softly carried them through the air, placing them carefully on the earth. I found myself in the way they seemed to belong there. I found myself in the picture they painted together on the ground. I was in that picture. I had missed the leaves.

I found myself in the smiles on the faces of the people I passed walking down the street, people I didn’t know. I found myself in their crooked teeth, in the wrinkles by their eyes, in their innocence. I found myself in the way the Sun landed in their eyes and stayed there long enough to dance for a while. Sometimes it would dance ballet, sometimes jazz, sometimes it would even dance with a partner. Somehow, I had learnt to smile and dance along.

I found myself in the silence of my own bed at 3 am. I found myself in the way the darkness sang to me. I found myself in my own embrace, in my own arms. My arms are the warmest and softest I have ever felt. I didn’t realize that until now. I found myself in the moment right before I drifted off to sleep. My final thought being one of happiness, of excitement for what may be hidden in my tomorrow. I found myself in my dreams.

I had been lost for too long, searching for something, for nothing, and never finding it. But now, here, in my own life, I have been found. I have found myself.

j.a