Imagine a Stage

Imagine a stage    --   © 2017 Myron Schreck
    
    Imagine a stage that is empty.    In the center, a circle of light.   And as the light slowly brightens, shadows appear ... from a background of purple, cobalt and black.   Now imagine that stage is a place in a forest, and the shadows are secrets concealed.   And then suddenly a child appears, running fast along the path, kicking leaves high and wild at his feet.   And sounds from the trees -- like woodwinds and strings -- merge with the wind and the sky.  And like delicate flowers and butterfly wings, they float to the earth as they die. 
  
    That's how I feel when I think of my youth -- like a baby bird anxious to fly,  hoping to find my piece of the rainbow and reach for it, leap for it, grab it and never let go.  Oh, how naïve was I.   How hopeful, innocent and foolish was I.  Now that I’ve finally realized that I was running and getting nowhere.  
  
   Now ... picture a notebook without any words -- just lines that are carefully drawn.  That was my life –- my life before you;  waiting for dreams that never came true ... until you opened your door –– brought me inside –– in from the cold –– to the warmth of your fire.
  
        Instrumental  interlude
  
   Now  ... picture a notebook without any words --just lines that are carefully drawn.  That was my life –- my life before you;  waiting for dreams that never came true ... until you  opened your door –– opened my eyes –– opened your arms –– and brightened my life –– and brought me inside from the cold to the warmth of your fire.