This is a tale about a man lost in a labyrinth of endless mind, imagination and shadow with no way out.
You bound into my life with a dazzling fire and illuminated the dark place that I dwelt. I chased after your fire, terrified to leave the place I reluctantly called home for so long. I did not know what I was doing and I did not care. I felt foolish and embarrassed.
I was mesmerized by your light. I could not pull away. You brought such vibrancy to the world that I could see, if only to stumble. I was not afraid to walk when you were near.
You banished the gloom and my heart warmed, my eyes softened and I could feel again. But I did not know what to do with it.
I saw how my darkness let you rest from your own nature. You could curl up in my lap -- just for a little while. You could set aside your cleverness, ease your paws and just be without needing to be anywhere. But you were always drawn back to where you came and I grieved every time you left.
You came to visit me again and again and we celebrated this odd partnership that seemed to come out of nowhere that we could not define.
But ultimately it was a dance we could not keep up.
You wanted me to keep up with you, but I feared the forest. I leapt, and ran and jumped, but I did not have your grace. I fell over and over again. And I was afraid of your fire. I needed you to cool your flames for just a little while so I could hold your hand -- but you did not know how.
But we tried anyway. Over and over. And we burned each other. And even though it burned, it seemed right. Every wound was secretly a blessing.
