The Golden Plains: I'll Miss You

The sun peeked from the aloof but lofty mountains like a shy child, illuminating the verdant glades, painting the lands, the light touched a beautiful orange. The shadows cast by it seemed to slowly creep away, as if they were being dragged. The fawn and fauna of the land woke with the arising sun, emerging from their humble abodes to perform any such necessary activities. I was up before the sun shed it's first light, I was raised to relish such moments of creation, wallowing in these wonders. The country lands of England are truly a sight from heaven to see. I am accompanied by my friend bandit, my adolescent black horse, or yearling would prefer.

Somehow, the quiet ambiance leads me to remember my father, whom joined to army to fight the world war. 'Into the gallows he went' my mother would say, fabling the wretched wars. My father was a bushy and a battler, 'I'll put 'em to their knees Harper! I'll bugger them up alright! And I'll do all that without a single drop of rum my child!" He said before he kissed my forehead and left for the 'big smoker' our family tends to call the towns and cities. Even though he was facing such a horrible fate a large grin was plastered on his mug, I wonder if he actually was an optimistic fool or he did it so departure wouldn't be so somber. It made me smile, my old man is an odd one. I tried to hold back my tears, I missed him so much. Its two months since father wrote his last letter, I hope he is alright. I cried to myself a little, bandit muzzled me on the cheek, but the sentimental act only made me cry more.

The awe seemed to fade away and now I was back into this black inferno called 'reality', the sounds of my bickering sisters and brothers, Bandit found himself listless as well and decided to mooch around. "Balmy on the crumpet you children!" My mother shouted, her daunting screams and hot temper could blow the roof. 'What a buffer...' I thought to myself as I got from the porch. I almost tripped on my own brown dress. Oh this is not a dress, its rags sown together with feeble threads of string. I shouldn't complain, my mother tried hard to make these dresses. Mother is a hardy woman, she would tell me stories of her childhood as an orphan and servant girl under Baudelaire family (even now that name is well-known for their wealth). I wonder if serving under the wretched family is how she hewed her despise for wealthy families. "Harper Collony! Stop loitering around milk the cows! After then dry the sheets! Hop to it child!", my mother requested as she boiled the water. Her brothers and sister (five of us) began to carry on our chores, my baby sister Mary Jane, just sat on her high chair chuckled as the family stirred.

The blue firmament began to falter, as the sun set the skies lit an orange inferno. By this time our chores would have been done and we were allowed to play and run around in our blissful ignorance. I, on the other hand prefer to sleep the afternoon off, a 14 year old girl like me needs to do something to keep young and beautiful. I find a quiet spot in the glen to snatch forty winks. Except Bandit (who seems to follow me around unaccounted) won't stand for this! He huffs and puffs, snickers and wickers with all his might until I surrender. I run and play with bandit for a while until I climb onto his back and head home. Once we get home I hear a piercing crash and cry come from the shed, 'Blamey, what is going on in there? An intruder?'.

I, as quiet as a mill, Bandit tip-toe towards the somehow robust shed. 'Ok, I'm the lone ranger, this criminal will fall by my hands!', "Hi ho Silver, away! Ahhhh!". Bandit swivelled his ears and shook his body. He didn't seem to move. I frowned, we weren't moving, of all things the young horse took that for a halt. "You cock-up!" I growled pulling Bandit's ears, he neighed in detest. Suddenly I heard cries coming from the shed. 'That's...mom...' I wondered. I thought if it was the right time to approach her mother, I rarely saw country folk cry. I climbed off Bandit and run towards the shed, out of curiosity Bandit tagged along. "Mamma! What's wrong..." My voice trailed off as I saw my mother on her knees, her hand covered her face. On the floor lay a yellow card. My eyes widened in fright and I fell next to mother. "It's the yellow telegram, don't tell me...father died..."

Mother didn't answer and instead ripped the telegram in pieces and tried to hold back her tears. I fell silent, this must be a dream. Yes, a horrible dream, its not real! I reassured myself but it wouldn't hold back my tears, how sentimental. I turned to run out of the shed, Bandit stood by the opening. I ran into his colt black fur, crying hard. I climbed onto his back and together we ran into the sunset, away from the troubles. It wasn't a dream, father was dead. His wish may have been granted, dying for his country's pride, but my wish was lost, I could never fall into his warm embrace, I could never hear his warming words in my shadow of doubt, I could never see him again. My promises were broken, and my memories could break me. Goodbye forever father, have a safe trip to God's promised land, I'll meet you there when my life clock ticks its last second, as was yours.