Vigil No.4
As all the animals nestled and bustled about the tunnels and burrows, Rat wandered the underground maze. Bedding and little blankets and knitted afghans and pillows littered the vaults where mice played games, hedgehogs watched screens and rabbits hung up bells and brewed teas. The smell of those teas and spices wafted through the underground space, scents of apples and pumpkin dominating above. Rat was not unhappy, he felt greatly comforted by the animals that greeted him and knew him, but his mind was veiled, here he felt there was no cool air, and no space to be separate. He could only think of Badger, where he was, how he was and how very much he wanted to be near him and his warmth. Just as he began to feel his fur prickle, he passed a large vault where quite a few animals were gathered. Inside they were loudly shouting at what the Rat could now see, as he entered the vault, was a football game, as he rounded the corner, there, sat among some cushions, awake but dozing as he watched the game, was Badger. A can of beer was impressively balanced on the round curve of his belly as he slumped there resting and enjoying himself. Rat came to his side and Badger lifted his paw and arm to welcome Rat underneath them, which Rat quickly and eagerly accepted. The size and heat of the Badger was overwhelming and before long among the echoing boom of broadcasted stadium music and cheers, the Rat fell into a deep and comfortable sleep.
Rats Dream:
(((The Garden was silent and dark, silver frost climbed every surface. Not a single green one was awake. The Pine that stood tall over the frozen pond was the one mighty enough to hold, though its needles were filled with white snow. Here from the bough that stretched out over the pond, hung Possum, the white candle she held was so brilliant it illuminated the entirety of the inner garden, she was full and silver and watched the scene unfolding below her with a knowing but strange smile. Across the ice below her, slivers and smears of blood lead a trail to Bear who was down on one knee on the frozen pond, bleeding profusely from his mouth, his wild eyes held firmly forward.
Rat followed his furious gaze, and from just beyond where possums light reached, something stirred.
From the darkness and swirling silver and white, wrapped in white cloth that swirled and rippled ethereal round him, stepped an animal that Rat did not immediately recognize.
Ice gripped the rodent as the animal stepped gently and silently forward, as the swirling cloths passed in front of his face this way and that, rat could make out the flashes of the faces of those gone before him, faces full of pain and fear. Rat was overwhelmed, he fell backward and like a child,scooted himself away from the scene beginning to gasp and cry. As Possums silver light illuminated the animal, there was no face to be seen, a bright empty and unknowable nimbus obscured its visage. it was bloodied and crooked and mangled but moved so gently and gracefully the rat could not discern it either as a deliverer of mercy or as a tormenting evil.
The specter moved ever closer to bear, who was trying desperately to stand.
As rat watched through his tears, he could just make out the dry black nose and slack, open jaws of an animal he knew, he could smell it: rain rotted flowers, spoiled meat and the smell of cold earth.
This Beast had come for her those many years ago and now in the garden once green he came for Bear.
Bear bellowed out a horse and weak roar as he finally stood.
Rat felt the embers of hope grow dim and cold, he felt as far away as one could from love and light and comfort.
His chest hurt and his breathing was rapid.
Bear was the tallest animal Rat had ever met yet here standing before Wolf, he seemed so small and frail.
Bear did not flee nor flinch. He stood defiant on the ice, as blood dribbled off his chin.
Wolf raised his massive and long arm and pointed to the sky, and at his pointing the stars above him dimmed leaving only pitch and empty.
Possum, who the Rat had forgotten hung just above them, Laughed….and it was a laugh as thunder or a scream.
The suddenness of it, startled him so horridly he kicked his feet out and….)))
And there he was, on the floor of the big burrow he had fallen asleep in. He sat and regained his bearings, his heart pounded and he reached for Badgers paw….but the Badger had gone.
A friendly mouse came to him and asked if he were alright.
They walked back to Rats vault together chatting about the strangeness of dreams.
Rat lingered outside his room a moment after bidding the mouse farewell and goodnight. Peering down the tunnel to the big Den where he knew Badger now slept, he sighed.
Sigh No. 4
May we find comfort
May we find rest
May we draw near to peace and ease
May our burrows be full
May your work be well and finished for the time
And may you be loved in light and cheer.
