Bedtime Story II

Yi Cheng / V Mag at UVA

Give me fresh water and a beautiful boat, and I will start my journey. I will sail past the jungle, befriend the river king. I will listen to the gorgeous fade of giant mountains, and sit long, wait for the young apple to ripen. Swim with my small arms and two feet.

I will sail past the plains. I will save the unfortunate people. Give back their stolen horses and lost children. Heal the sinuous scars of a tree. Learn the forgotten wars and the secrets of the orbits of the stars from the oldest sunflower. Shoot the extra suns with a red feather.

I will sail past the promised land. The holy territory in the sky. I will drink and bathe in the rootless water. Reunite with my brothers who were drowned in the flood and my sisters who were burned in the fire. They stand so closely on the land, like wild grass. I kiss every grave.

I will sail past the quicksand and the black shadow. I will break the spell of death using fire, fish fin, and flytrap.

I will sail past the Antarctic Sea and arrive at the end of the world. I will wash my hands and bury my boat in the tall snow. And take off my hat, my shoes, my clothes and socks. I will lay on the top of the mountains of golden bones, of the people who died satisfied.