...day gave way to night.
there was no moon tonight.
mounds of sand surrounded him on every side.
the traveler stopped and wondered where to go.
in the day the traveler was guided by the sun.
he could judge east from west.
he know his destination lay southward.
he had no idea how far or how near.
darkness had led to respite from the heat.
he had gotten rid of his shirt when the sun was at its peak.
he was wearing loose pants and slippers.
the cold was making him shiver - his hair was standing at its end.
it had been more than 12 hours without water.
or food. or the sight of another human being.
or animal. or plant.
he fed off his thoughts and drank from his tears of regret.
he had no memory of how he got to the desert.
he was happy being the king of his realm.
he slept after a night of mirth and revelry.
only to wake up somewhere among sand dunes.
he thought of sleeping and waiting for the sun.
it was hard to walk in the day.
the sun was sucking his energy.
and perspiration was dimming his reflexes.
he started climbing the highest dune he could see.
it was a long and tough ascent.
with each step the peak seemed further.
he began wondering if he would ever get to the top.
after what seemed like eternity he scaled the mound.
after what seemed like forever he sat on the sand.
a cold wind blew from behind - chilling his spine.
he knew it to be the north wind - icy and deathly.
he had hoped to climb atop this dune and see light. a city. trees.
something. anything.
his hopes lay shattered spread among the grains of sand beneath him.
he could sense disappointment falling upon him.
he thought of his beloved.
he thought of her deep eyes - they were always lit up with hope.
he thought of her infectious smile - always ready to wrap the world in joy.
he thought of her gorgeous hair - a warm safe place where he could find sanctuary.
tears welled up in his eyes.
he hadn't seen his reflection in her eyes in days.
he hadn't felt the warmth of her smile in weeks.
he hadn't smelt her hair in eons.
suddenly he saw a speck of light
a lone star appeared in the sky.
shining bright.
shining with all its glory.
he found his guiding light - the star of the south!
the star twinkled like the eyes of his beloved - he could see his whole life in its light.
the star spread warmth to his very heart - he could not feel the cold north wind anymore.
the star reminded him of the hair of his beloved - he found peace and serenity.
he realized that the star would lead him southwards.
he would be led by its guiding light and would find his way home.
he set off on the long and arduous journey.
hoping to cover a lot of ground before the sun shone again.
he started reminiscing as he walked.
he remembered times with his beloved.
he smiled at the moments of love they had lived through.
he shed tears thinking of unhappy moments they had spent together.
he realized he wasn't as good as his beloved was in every sense.
he realized that she was a good partner - while he was actually an ingrate.
he realized that she was holding their relationship together - while he was just breaking it down.
he saw her face smiling at him in the light of the star - she still loved him.
after what seemed like days of walking, he saw his destination!
looming far in the distance - he could see shapes -lights - structures.
he rejoiced - he had a chance to make it up to his beloved.
he trudged on - an extra spring in his step.
as he came closer, his expressions changed.
the structures he could see were dark looming towers.
shrouded in the mist of darkness and gloom.
dark structures that spelt doom.
a few steps more, his face fell.
there were no lights.
there were columns of fire - rising high above the earth.
from pools of lava that surrounded the towers.
this wasn't his destination!
the lone star was not leading him home!
it was leading him to hell!
he had died and was never going to get home!
he thought of his life.
he thought of his choices.
he thought of his mistakes.
he thought of his beloved.
he wished he could see her once again.
touch her. hold her. kiss her. caress her.
he wished he could die looking into her eyes.
under the warmth of her smile - the smell of her hair.
remorseful and weary, he approached the gates of hell.
with the heat of the fire, his sweat began to swell.
the ground gave way - he suddenly fell.
and found himself at the bottom of a deep fiery well.
his skin burnt to dust.
his bones burnt to dust.
his heart burnt to ashes.
his soul left his body.
as his soul began its ascent towards its final destination.
his soul could only think of his beloved.
as the soul dissipated into the air, it had a final thought..
"will my beloved ever think of me?"
