Stone Village Under Cedar Boughs

Walking, running, skipping down deserted streets
Echoing and reflecting through empty alleys
Bouncing, deflecting
Staying nowhere for more than a moment
I patrol this work in progress
This village of stone I’ve been trying to build
In the heart of my cedar woods, piece by piece
So slowly
Over so many years

Some of the walls are yet a little unstable
Some of the houses are little more than four crumbling walls
With half a roof for simple relief
From chilling rain or crushing hail
While others have more potential
But remain unfinished

A place to sleep when needed, for now
A place with dreams to retire in, someday

Some days
I make progress in its construction
And I’m happy

Some days
A wicked beast razes it to the ground
Or possesses my hand
And I light the explosives myself
And I have to start all over again

So far, I’ve always returned
To the rebuilding effort

I want to turn this into something wonderful
Finish some beautiful buildings
Furnish them with strong beds
Eternally warm hearthstones
And the softest rugs

If I could figure out how
I’d build one larger than the rest, with
Huge dining tables for all my friends to gather around together
For regular food, games, and merrymaking
Cozy small sitting rooms with lounge chairs and loveseats
For closer, quieter, smaller visits
Soft bedrooms with gentle colours and king sized beds
For more intimate discussions and the deepest dreams

If I could, I’d invite others in
A special select few
To live in their own houses of stone here
With everything they need
To exist in shared bliss
Until the end of time

If I could, I’d build cobblestone roads
With my own hands, touching every stone
They could be narrow footpaths
Cars aren’t needed here
For those welcomed to stay here with me
Never need to be far from each other
Never need to be far from me

For now, this place remains
Deep in my dreamscape
A fantasy to indulge

I want to turn it into a paradise
A crafted favourite place
A manifested utopia
A place of bliss and peace
To truly call home

In building my imaginary village
Where I can be myself
Surrounded by those
Who care for me the most
Who I love so dearly
Where I can belong at ease
I learn something invaluable

Heaven can be created
Inside of us

Heaven can be so much closer
Than we think

Heaven can be so close to home
We don’t even need to look up

November 13, 2024