Sticky, uncomfortable, saturated air.
As she stepped out of the useless shade,
she saw the sky unmoving, the sun stark,
white against the blue.
The dark green sapling stood out
in front of her.
Tall, strong, sharply green.
The heat so oppressive, she could not breathe.
The air hung; her sweat lingered,
not dripping, not going away.
The sounds stopped.
The seconds slowed.
Time halted and stood still.
There were no movements.
Her shadow short and sad,
glanced quickly at itself,
and swayed slightly
-bogged down by the books and her black bag-
turned away, disgusted.
As she stared at the tree,
she could hardly see,
hardly hear,
hardly feel.
And in those seconds,
when she could hardly see,
she saw most clearly what was meant to be.
The heavens cleared,
and the sky broke.
Her sweat slid gently down her face,
the rain dripped down like tears.
Relief washed over her.
In those seconds that she saw,
she saw that it was meant to be,
she saw that she was meant to be.
And walked away,
quickly,
purposefully.
She'd found what she was looking for.
