A Guiding Light
by Ashley Austin

A deserted rock on an empty shore,
A vulnerable girl watching the night sky.
Frozen and numb,
Mind clouded with empty thoughts and feelings that make no sense. Head tilted upwards, Her eyes fixed to a single star. Solitary. Alone in the universe, Light fading.

A cold wind sweeps along the desolate sands,
Startles her out of her dream.
Eyes scan the water’s edge,
A cold shiver.
Looking for the missing piece of the endless puzzle.

A shadow emerges from the darkness,
Eerily still and comforting.
A calm descends over the turbulent waters
of her mind.
The sky clears,
Empty and cloudless now.

Drawing her eyes back to the heavens,
Not one star,
But two.
Shining side by side,
As one.
Sharing their light and warmth.

A reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Turning.
A supportive smile,
Her guiding light.
And she realises,
For the first time

That she is not alone.

submitted: 22/11/03