What used to be a high plateau,
after millions of years,
is now the wonderland that we stand in today.
A babbling brook cutting through layer after layer of rock,
while simply going on its way.
It carries the environment on its back,
brings life wherever it goes,
and shapes all that it encounters.
Nothing would exist without water.
And if it wasn't here,
then this would still be just a plateau.
The earth and its denizens would miss these green forests, and its sparkling waters.

Groups of people, girls and boys,
walking up and down the ramps.
Their pasts flit across their visions,
but their focuses are on the future.

Jobs, families, and futures, all uncertain, but hopeful.

Loved ones gather 'round,
flashing cameras and exchanging embraces.
Tears flow, but smiles prevail,
and all are focused on pieces of paper, analogous to all their hard work, tears and sweat.

You look into his eyes,
seeing there, promises of your life together,
promises of never ending love and care,
the creation of a bond,
connecting your heart to his,
and linking you for all eternity.

You grasp his hand in yours and begin your journey.
You travel through the dark and the light,
lingering as long as you can in the fairy tale forest,
lined with shimmering light that illuminates every corner of your life,
showing the stark contrast between to good and the bad,
but also promising that in the end, you will be in a place even more full of light,
and infinitely more beautiful.
All you have to do to get there, is persevere.
Stride through those dark spots with pride.
Forever hold each other.
And whenever things get hard,
look into each others' eyes,
and say, "I love you."

Trees stand tall,
towering above us,
standing as sentinels.
Models of stability and strength.
We see them swaying in the wind,
but only think of how their trunks stand steady.
But when you join its leaves among its highest held branches,
you not only see it move,
you feel it.
Something so stalwart at the base,
can be shivering and shaking up above your sight.

Even while the wind howls it's deafening battle cries,
the trees remain strong,
turning the furious onslaught into the soothing rustling of its leaves.
A quiet comforter for those in audience.

I wish that I could simply sit here and watch the birds,
their gleaming white bodies soaring through the air,
or gliding across crystalline lakes,
finally, touching down lightly on the cool emerald grass,
where I sit watching.

A trio of them slide onto the watery surface,
with the soft sound of a whispered sigh,
but are chased away honking,
by the cream colored prow of a small vessel,
sending ripples of fragments up ahead,
until its glassy surface is completely shattered.

Now the birds stand on the opposite bank, craning their necks and screaming their battle cries at the intruder,
never taking their eyes off of him,
until he leaves their territory,
and then they erupt with victorious cheers,
until their general's orders quiets them down again,
and they turn their attention back to the other abnormal sight.
The creature on the lakeside, grasping a stick leaking blue liquid,
who can't seem to take its eyes off of them.

Soon though, the anomaly leaves their minds,
as their main nemesis,
with his infernal barking,
lunges at the metal prison gate them separates them.
Again, and again,
he tries to break through,
but he only succeeds in bringing out the mocking laughs and taunts of his white-uniformed rivals,
and he eventually retreats once more, deeper into his cell.

One of the soldiers dares to test the cold shattered water for swimming,
but flings himself out as quickly as he went in,
shrieking and shaking the droplets from his plumage all the way.

They now have posted sentries 'round me,
with their long thin necks pointing their small, shifting eyes towards me.
Maybe I should leave,
before they realize I am stealing their military stratagems...
and recording every step and honk they make.

Go on, scurry off to Wonderland.
Speak with the petty flowers,
Smoke with that old caterpillar.
Run where riddles and wordplay make far too much sense,
And looking glasses hold more than just your reflection.
The real world is breaking you, we all can see.
So scary off to Wonderland, and leave reality to me.

There's nothing better than seeing an old friend go off on a journey.
The thrill of excitement in both your heart and theirs sends shivers along your skin,
and you can't help but wonder at all the exciting things that are about to happen.
There's a wide open window, letting beams of light fill the room,
and just peeking your head through is enough to start up your curiosity,
so that all you want to do is run outside, hair flying,
and see all the wonderful opportunities that lay just outside our doors.

When the darkness has eyes that glow and claws that catch,
 and feet that slide unseen through the night,
When their howls and moans raise the hair on your arms and neck-
that is when you run.

Have swift steps towards the light,
and don't let them smell the fear that is gnawing at your insides,
or hear the scream of mindless terror that is tearing at your throat.
They are deadly enough without any encouragement.
But if they know of your doubts and your nightmares,
then you will never be safe.
Once they have tasted that small part of you, they will use it.
It will fuel them and turn every single monster, to a never-ending hoard.
No matter where you go, they will find you.
Everywhere you look, you will find their eyes and deep-throated whispers.

Once you've met their eyes,
they will never leave you.
So whatever you do-
even if their footsteps are charging towards you-
even if their fetid breath is searing the back of your neck-
if you can almost feel the grasp of their rotten hands on your skin-
don't turn around.
And never look into their eyes.

In the days when the waters fall,
earth melts under slow winds,
and the sun drips into the sea for the last time,
wings of charcoal flit through canyons of crimson stone.
Sands glow with coals,
and trees simmer as dying torches.