The Changeling

Assalamu'alaikum wrb dearest sisters and brothers,

May all of us still be granted hidayah and walking on His path :)

It was four years ago, in class that I wrote this composition. I enjoyed playing with words therefore I want to share this piece. Enjoy! :)

"The sun was showering love and warmth on the trees and the flowers, giving them an immense amount of energy to complete their essence. Plain green was painted with blotches of colorful flowers. The trees stood proudly, boasting about the fact that they belonged. The flowers bloomed exquisitely, only to the delight of the sun and the sky. The shrubs cloaked the dominant white walls with their thorny branches. All claimed quintessential territory. A solemn serenity filled the entire place. But it was as cheerless as the grave; there was a void in this setting. The fauna was unseen.

A small step made its way towards nature.

The leaves of the trees were rustling, perturbed by the sudden intrusion of a strange presence in the stillness. But the glass warmed the soles of the unknown, cherishing the proximity of another being after so long.

Ester stood in the centre of the earth, gazing upon the eerie silence. His eyes were observing nature, never missing any single beat of change. In his place, any other child would be shrieking in gaiety for the freedom. But strain never once left his eyes - the eyes of an old age bearing a young face. His blonde hair was tousled. He felt unwanted, but he didn't retaliate.

He wouldn't.

Ester felt it - the creeping disruption that was spreading amongst the trees. He also knew, that the wind was watching him intently, for silence echoed throughout nature as he took another step forward.

Ester was still.

And after a few moments, he lay down on the grass - the grass which hugged his back tightly. He extended his hands towards the sky, blocking the sun from penetrating through his eyes - his inner self. A shadow formed on his face, touching his skin.

Ester remembered everything. He recalled the times when he was five. He was walking alone towards the park. And every step he made added to more whispers in the background. By the age of seven, he was numb to all other beings except himself. His sagacity showed him the truth.

His existence was feared.

It was just natural for people to avoid him - avoid his gaze. Ester was a wandering soul on earth. An empty glass. A shattered mirror.

And now, nature too was intimidated,

To the utmost chagrin of the shadow, the sun slowly insinuated itself onto Ester's skin, grasping hold. Ester nonchalantly and languidly stood up. All those thoughts dwelling inside his mind dissolved into thin air.

A soft melody was reverberating in the air, breaking the overwhelming silence, spreading euphoria in nature. The seething trees were sullenly mystified, incredulous to whatever was happening. The flowers emanated pure radiance.

Ester sensed a flutist ahead of him. With thoughtful trails he ascended the grassy stairway which spiraled all the way towards the top. As he reached the last step, the melody vanished, devoured once more by the compressing silence.

A voice occupied the neglected air.

"Welcome, changeling. I've been waiting."

Ester smiled."