Each word a note, each paragraph a score. My fingers glide seamlessly over the keyboard, hitting each letter like I were writing sheet music. Like a lonely piano upon a well lit stage, the words fill the page like music echoing through a concert hall. All too often, time seems to freeze, the piano falls silent and the crowd fades away. To me, the keys have gone silent. I am no longer upon a stage, I now play in the depths of dark waters. The sound is muffled and my hands leave the piano, grasping for the air and light from above. My feet are glued to the pedals, I cannot leave this place, and no matter how hard I press the keys, I hear nothing. With each passing second it is only harder to find the words I wish to say, sinking deeper into this abyss. How will I ever write again, when I cannot see the words? I cannot feel the words. I cannot hear the notes. Each word that is typed, each note that is played, slowly floating to the bright blue water above, while I remain attached to the dismal deep sea. I lash out with my arms, reaching for each word, but my hand passes through them as they abandon me. I keep reaching, up and up, towards nothing. Just as all seems lost, life surprises. A hand is lent down from above, it grabs mine boldly. I'm swept from the shadows and into the light, the black, heartless piano disappears below me. The hand pulls me above the water and drags me onto shore. The white sand is warm and the sun beats upon my face. I open my eyes slowly, a beautiful face smiles back. It's her. Her light blonde hair reflected the sunlight beautifully and her deep blue eyes seemed to speak to me. "I've got you."
She pulls me up to my feet, the beach is soft. Grabbing my hand, she leads me further up the shore. A white ivory piano comes into sight, shining like crystals. It's keys magnificent, its presence enlightening. I instinctively take a seat. Birds chirp loudly inland, and waves crash gracefully to my right. I feel the light touch of a hand on my shoulder as I stare at my instrument.
"Go on, Play," her words should have been part of the music, soft and encouraging. I pressed my fingers against the keys. They echoed along the beach wonderfully. For second I thought of heaven, it paled in comparison. A smile crept back onto my face as the notes returned to me. I could hear again, I could feel. The words came back to me. I looked back to say my thanks and she was gone, but I could still feel her presence. Her smile, her eyes and the soft warm touch of her hand. This feeling remained within me. The waves crashed softly and ran underneath my feet. I closed my eyes and stared to the sky as my hands began to make beautiful music. Birds flew around me, the wind stopped in awe. The clouds parted and the sun stared down at me, listening. For second, the world halted. There was just.. music.
I awoke from the slumber, my head had been resting upon the park bench. A notebook was in my hand. It was empty, but something had changed. The world around was no longer the black and white of piano keys, it had color and life. I heard the children laughing, saw the bright green trees bending with the breeze and for once, it finally felt like spring. I smiled. I instinctively reached for the picture in my pocket, and held it closely. The blue eyes stared back blissfully. Her smile forever gridlocked in time, and etched upon my mind for an eternity. I looked down again to the blank page. White, like the sandy beaches. Closing my eyes, I let the wind brush my hair gently. Eyes still closed, I felt a hand grab mine and guide it to the page. I recognized the soft, warm touch.
"Write, please." I opened my eyes to find my pen in contact with the first line of the page. I blinked away a few tears as memories flooded my mind. Almost effortlessly, words began to fill the page. Beautiful words. A grand symphony played between the lines. Her voice echoes elegantly in my head, singing in harmony with the stir of delicate violins. Without her, the world is without color and sound - a dark piano at the bottom of the sea, but she remains with me always. Within each memory lies the bright pink color of spring, breathing fresh air into my lungs. Even gone now, the simple imagination of her presence gives a new life to the day - a white ivory piano resting upon sandy beaches. The words were flowing easier onto the page now. I ended with a smile, her voice and the violin still resonating within my head. I picked up the pen, satisfied with how my entry had preceded.
"Even now , she means everything to me. She is the strength that keeps me afloat, above the daunting obscurity that is the deep sea. She does this for me now, even in absence and in spirit. Imagine her glow and her passion outside of lucid memories. Only I remember, so let me tell you our story.."
Maybe it was the wind, but for a brief second I seriously thought I could hear her voice singing above me. A violin's grace echoing alongside. I closed my eyes to listen closer. Children laughing, birds chirping cheerfully, trees whooshing with the wind, and the soft whistle of petals as they brushed past my feet. Through it all I could still hear her voice. It pierced my soul. A tear rolled down my cheek and I smiled for what felt like the first time all year.
It was the symphony of spring.
