Sweet Remembrance
~Lindsay Lockhart~

They slowly limp across the over grown field.
Leaning against each other for support.
The perilous weeds obstructing their trek,
But not their resolve.
One every so carefully spreads the wall of vines,
Creating a portal to their one time kingdom.
The memories flood their minds as they gaze around.
And the familiar scent of musk and flowers greets their nostrils.
The winds that blow gently through the glade,
Tousles wisps of their stark white hair.
The same wind which once caused their unruly golden locks,
To tumble around their heads and tangle,
Which in turn brought gentle reprimands at bedtime.
The sounds of children giggling rings through their ears,
The sounds of their own giggling so long ago,
As they reminisce on times long past.
They seem themselves as they were again.
Brought back to their golden years of unending happiness.
Those endless summers when stiff necked frocks and hot leather shoes,
Were abandoned along dusty pathways to be collected by disapproving mothers.
And they were replaced with gauzy white dresses and bare feet.
Accompanied by their crowns and jewelry made of gathered flowers and so-called weeds.
Garlands woven of roses and vines would be draped upon their wooden thrones.
Where they would sit and reign over the entire forest,
And they held court with dolls and furry woodland creatures.
While they were entertained by Old Elmer, their aged hound.
Who was their faithful jester, complete with his own conical cap.
Made from scraps of fabric jovially snatched out of mending baskets.
While matronly eyes watched lovingly from a distance.
Endless days they would defend their kingdom,
From the likes of roaring dragons and corrupted sorcerers,
Spawned in their overactive imaginations.
The babbling brook carried many a war ship down its bubbling waters.
After they were cast away by their miniature navy.
Which was manned by ants and commanded by a seasoned beetle captain.
Good always triumphed and evil dealt with mercifully.
Their fantasy adventures would consume their every waking moment,
Until, as they do with everyone, life and time got in the way.
Their flowers and gowns were soon exchanged for uniforms and ribbons.
And their thoughts of flowers and canine jesters replaced with that of boys and family.
They lived their lives without returning to their place of magic and wonder.
Until this day, after their husbands had passed away and children had families of their own.
Seeing it, together, brought them happiness and content they hadn't felt in ever so long.
As they were once again caught by the magic of their secret haven.
And they left that day not leaning against each other for support,
For their visit had filled them with energy and spirit they had not felt in decades,
But with their hands clasped within each other and their heads decked with floral wreaths.
Small giggles escaping their lips and eternal smiles resting upon their weathered faces.