THE WORLD I WANT

I feel the lushness beneath my back and palms,
The fresh smell of greens has my eyes opening and staring into the night sky.

I rise to my feet, the cool air of the night aiding my weary body, I should fall back to the ground and return to my dream but the comfort I feel between my toes as the grasses graze and massage my bare feet makes me hunger to take more steps.

It's a dark cold night, I can't even see the greens that I'm feeling but I know they are there, the sweet flowery scent that feel my nostrils and give strength to my lungs like an elixir are enough proof.

It's just me in what seems like a vast space, it looks nothing like I know, nothing like I remember, but I love it here and would rather not return to the world I know. I love the tranquility, the peace—with only beautiful songs of birds to punctuate or better yet, accentuate it.

I love being able to see diamonds in the sky, being able to see the moon smiling at me, I love being able to comprehend the vastness of the sky, I love being able to breathe and not worry about my lungs.

I take further steps into this meadows, committing every feeling, every step, into memory, I never want to forget.

My throat feels parched and like a miracle, I see the mirror image of the beautiful sky in clear waters and soon I'm standing at the bank of these waters. My toes digging into the cool sand, and my knees bending to the ground to quench my thirst.

It's blissful as the water goes down my throat, it's calming and almost magical. I sit by the bank, after I've had my fill and rest my back against the sands, the coolness lulls me back to sleep.

I feel the lushness beneath my back and palms, but it doesn't feel the same anymore.

I don't smell any greens, just artificial scents and I know before opening my eyes that I'm back where I didn't want to be.

There's no lush grasses, only beds and pillows, no scent of fresh greens, only perfume and humidifiers. There's no vast space, only a congested area, no diamonds in the sky, only a space above, blanketed with darkness. There's no peace and tranquility, only the sound of cars and protesters in the streets, no clear water, only water that runs from taps.

Take me back to where I whence came! I hate it here! But I know there's no way back because where I'd been was but a figment of my imagination, a dream.

—Onwumah Ozed 
©2020