Cindering Sky

For the last couple of years - he had always wandered down to the shore, late in the afternoon, when the birds would cease their chirping, nestling into their homes between the dunes, and the creatures that had been asleep all day came out of their burrows, noses to the air, ready to find their dinner. He came down to find solace.

To let go of his worries, lost amongst the churning waves and sea foam, alone to drift out to sea.

It was when he was able to breath. Deep a pure. Expel all the filth that had built up in his chest. The pressure that left was phenomenal, unlike anything he could describe. He felt light as a feather, as if he could float up amongst the clouds as they burned brightly in the sky.

But recently, all hadn't been right.

He had come down to the shore, planted himself on the cool sand, hands in his pockets, waiting for the sun to fall, illuminate the sky with a fiery glow, shine against his face - warm his core. It had been a while. He even tried arriving earlier, thinking he had missed it. No - the clouds were still dark, ominous, hanging lazily over the water. He knew the sun was back there, bright as ever, but it didn't shine through. It was disappointing. But he didn't mind. It was that time of year - when the weather turned, the air cooled, and darkness arrived sooner, knocking on the door even before dinner was on the table.

He'd just have to wait for the Sun to reveal itself again.

Smiling as bright as ever, drifting out from between the bulging clouds, welcoming him back.