Chasing The Wind

s

ents of the cold river massage my legs and send puls

cites

through the river one step at a time till I feel the smooth peb

centrate. I clear my thoughts of everything else except the musky green of the now shallow

e water, I imagine it forms waves an

ddy, I open my eyes and don't make any effort to suppress my laughter. I lo

o

erything except my goal. This time, I picture my hair flying

on, the breeze quickly turns into a strong wind that rolls over my body

e

have ever created, carries me out of the river so slowly I fear I'm only imagining

be consumed wholly. I can feel my power vibrate i

grow s

don't want to hide anymore. I don't want to conc

ind, I promise myself not to hide anymore. I w

hriek I can't mi

huge

ike a giant as I kneel on the groun

Do you know what would have happened to you? You'll be taken away f

t to give my dear parents heart attacks but I'

" I summon my

s and my Dad turns to me

and blunt. "Do you think anyone that saw y

"But no one saw

free but," she sighs, " you have to compromise. If anyone e

w moments of being myself is a thousand times bett

I'll try." The words g

her in a hug. She is very small compared to me

" my father says. "We jus

ant to los

are getting ready to eat dinner. I sit on a stool and watch my fifteen year old sister a

oes a good job in schooling her features so the

g up and staring right at me. "I won't let you do anything stupid. You may no

ou just mind your business?" It's irking how she decides to s

myself if anything ever happens to you." Her words

nyway, I can take absolute care of myself." I fear I'm too harsh on her bu

ight has spilled over the sky and splashes

of looking out for myself. I've survive for almost seventeen years of my life in

ive the aroma of expertly broiled mackerel, tomato and carrot sauce, and freshly baked bread. My father carries

mother leaves to bring an oil lamp, we sit and wait in complete silence. When she returns, we

sauce, Mavli and my mother pour out some sauce into the rice and begin eating it with their fingers while dad starts o

, my parents had made some extra money at the mar

one eating. Mavli an

i and I chorus as we take the dishes

of the big cans of water. I turn to look at her but she turns her eyes away. I try to ignore it and we bri

rry the dishes, Mavli swoops in and carries them. I shrug my shoulders