~You Can Fly~
By: [*Phoenix*]
[#-Revision]
You are looking at your feet as the warm sand squishes between your toes. The cool ocean water moves back and forth with a gentle rhythm in front of you. You look out to the ocean, take a deep breath of the soft salty wind, and let it out. The sun's rays that come through the clouds make the water shine as the waves splash. This is your last chance. You heart is pounding inside your chest as your mind races with possibilities. If you can't do it this time, you lose everything. It will be all over. You start to run towards the splashing water. Right before you touch it, you leap high into the air using every ounce of muscle you can. You shut your eyes tightly in fear. Holding your breath, you wait for the icy water to hit you. Your heart is caught in your throat. Once you come to your senses you hear the gentle beat of your wings. Mother had always told you that even though you were the last, you could do it to. With relief, you look below at the glassy surface of the water. You notice a small school of minnows that scatter as a wave passes over them. You look up and start pushing your wings against the wind. The wind filters between your feathers and the wind whips your hair behind you. It stings your face as you move higher and higher. As you move faster and faster towards the clouds above, you feel emotions that you have never felt before. Freedom, a sense of adventure, and complete control overwhelm you. You plunge through the clouds and you shiver, your skin covered in goose bumps.
You hover above the cloud and look around at the complete blueness around you. You hear the call of the seagulls below, beckoning you to come back. The sun, warming your skin, shines from above you. With a huge grin you plunge back through the clouds. Seagulls fly in formation around you. You lead them in twists, swirls, and loop-de-loops. Your wing muscles, not used to being used so much, start to tire and become stiff. With a sigh you head back down towards the ground, knowing that the feelings wouldn't last forever. You decide to get good rest and relax. You will come back to your haven later and explore the use of your wings some more. You land in the shallow water and, as the water rushes around your feet, you feel satisfied. You look above you and the seagulls fly away over the rocks that surround the beach, calling goodbye to you. You wonder what it will be like when Mother finds out. You won't tell her. At least, not yet...
~You Can Fly~Revision~
for a creative writing contest
The day is dark because the dreary clouds cover the sky after the refreshing morning rain. Some afternoon rays peek through the sky to say “Hi” to you. You climb over rocks, and, slipping down their moss-covered surfaces, you have finally made it to your secret beach. As you make your way to the shoreline, the warm sand squishes between your toes. The cool ocean water moves back and forth with a gentle rhythm in front of you. You look out to the ocean, take a deep breath of the soft salty wind, and let it out. The sun's rays that peek through the clouds make the water shine as the waves splash. This is your last chance. Your heart is pounding inside your chest as your mind races with possibilities. Today is the day, but if you cannot do it this time, you lose everything. It will be all over. You start running towards the splashing water. Right before you touch it, you leap high into the air using every ounce of muscle you can. You shut your eyes tightly in fear. Holding your breath, you wait for the icy water to hit you. Your heart is caught in your throat. Once you come to your senses you hear the gentle beat of your wings. Mother had always told you that even though you were the last, you could do it to, too. Flying is something unique to your family, as Mother always said. Each family member had different colored wings or had a rainbow of colors. You were always the strange one and the runt of the family, too. With almost transparent white wings, the muscles were less developed. That is what the doctors said. Mother never believed them and had always pushed you to fly. That is why you are here. You want to prove to her that you can do it and you want everyone to stop making fun of you.
With relief, you look below at the glassy surface of the water. You notice a small school of minnows that scatter as a wave passes over them. You look up and start pushing your wings against the wind. The wind filters between your feathers and whips your hair behind you. It stings your face as you move higher and higher. As you move faster and faster towards the clouds above, you feel emotions that you have never felt before. Freedom, a sense of adventure, and complete control overwhelm you. You plunge through the clouds and you shiver making your skin covered in goose bumps.
You hover above the clouds and look around at the complete blueness surrounding you. The sun warms your skin and removes the goose bumps. You wish Father could be here with you. He was always so kind and loving. His memory and death became your determination to fly. Memories come flooding back to you. You think about all the good times with him as the sun shines brightly from above. Then the accident invades your thoughts and tears water up your eyes so you cannot see anymore. You close your eyes letting the tears fall freely. Feeling goose bumps forming on your skin you open your eyes and realize you are falling through the clouds. As you start freaking out, you do not know what to do. You push the memories away as the call of seagulls below beckons you to use your wings. With a flourish of your wings you stop falling and sigh, thankful that the seagulls were there to help. Squawking, they fly in formation behind you, making you their leader. You lead them in twists, swirls, and loop-de-loops. They show you how to swoop quickly down to the water and catch a fish. Squinting you see a large bluegill swimming close to the surface. Without any debate, you push your wings harder and harder. When your inches away from the water you pull up and grab onto the slimy creature. You are so overwhelmed that you actually did it, but you are not hungry so you put the fish back into the water. Your wing muscles, not used to being used so much, start to tire and become stiff. With a sigh, you head back down towards the ground, knowing that the feelings would not last forever. You decide to get good rest and relax. You will come back to your haven tomorrow and explore the use of your wings after you rest and relax.
As you land in the shallow water, it rushes around your feet. With a feeling of satisfaction, you look above and the seagulls fly away over the rocks that surround the beach, calling goodbye to you. The water continues to swirl around your feet as they become increasingly colder. With a chill running down your spine, you walk out of the water and sprawl out on the sandy beach. Sand sticks to you as you think about what will happen when your siblings find out. With a childish grin you imagine their shocked faces and laugh. You think to yourself that this might be a bit hard so you must be careful so they do not find out until you become better. What will it be like when Mother finds out? You will not tell her, at least, not for now. You look out at the clouds that are clearing and allowing the sun to shine through. With a smile and thoughts of Father, you brush off the sand and begin your trip home.
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/[*Phoenix*]
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