Animal Flow

What's Around The Corner

With every turn of a corner is something new to the senses. Every sigh of wind punctuates the surrounding discomfort of a practically subzero atmosphere. Lips tightens his shawl around him, tugging on it so mindlessly hard that he feels pinched within its thin cloth. But it's the only thing he can do to relieve the stinging sensation of damp forest air sinking into his felt. The overhead trees are leaning in, head-to-head, branch-to-branch, leaf-to-leaf... creating a menacing canopy of thicket. Their newly created structure caves the woods in from everything afar- the bright street lights of urban civilization have been left far behind. Here in the woods, Her luminous gaze is the only source of guiding light. She, of course, being the full moon. 

With the crunch of dried leaves beneath his feet creating a slightly satisfying relief, he paces his way tentatively through the woods- chin tilted up, searching for the moon. 

The gentle moonlight leaks and drips through the cracks of the leaves in the trees, desperate to provide through any means. But even then, he can't see Her. He can't see Her in Her full glory, gazing upon him protectively with Her single eye. Still far up above the woods, She hides behind the very trees within it. But in the distance, he can spot the end of this seemingly infinite hallway of trees. Eager to see Her, he picks up speed, running as quickly as he can to the gaping exit of the thicket. 

Barely making it to the exit, Lips skids to a halt, taking a moment to catch his breath. Not one to be so physically demanding of himself often, it takes him quite a moment. But once he looks forward again, his eyes flutter open with awe. 

Along the edge of a rushing river which hums a peaceful tune is a large stone, perfectly sized for him to sit upon. Its edge is laved against gently by the wind-driven sheets of water, leaving it with a luster that dances in the moonlight. Her gaze is already perfectly reflected upon the surface which bathes in Her light. Even the blades of grass scattered about so flawlessly capture it in their little ribbons of shape. Mesmerized by the abundance of Her moonlight, he soon finds himself comfortably situated upon the rock, staring up at Her like a child to its mother. 

Her wide eye, filled with wonder and mystery, stares right back down at him. The full moon is mesmerizing- just like himself, it's only under rare conditions in which She actually opens Her eye fully. The fleshy, black shadow of her eyelid usually droops over sleepily as she takes on her role of providing light in the absence of the sun. Her gentleness flows out in Her light like a waterfall, contrasting the overwhelmingly aggressive light of the sun. Her nobility provides to the nocturnal beings who linger awake, while allowing everyone else to rest peacefully. That is what nighttime is for in the eyes of many, after all.

Many... as one would expect, definitely does not include all.

 

Such as the small, furry creature which playfully prances about as it approaches the puppet out of curiosity. 

Lips flinches in surprise as he feels a little ball of fuzz press up against him, its tail wagging with curious excitement.