I want giant sweaters, loose pants, and moccasins. I want the wind to blow, fierce and howling, while I nestle down in the nook of comfort. Crack open a book. Feel the spine crinkle beneath tentative fingers. Reach out- there. Barely within reach is the cup of hot chocolate, or coffee, or something.Whatever it is, enjoy it. Maybe someone enters the room, and curls up where I haven’t. Perhaps not. Either way, I know that there is a world waiting for me. Perhaps not within the pages of the novel I’m holding in my hands, but instead, in the future. My mind wanders- skipping from class to class, from accomplishment to defeat. From that joke that cracked me up the other day, to the euphoria of receiving rewards for hard work. Then, thoughts scatter. They bounce between the liars, the abusers, and the needers. Those who never give back. But wait-what was that right there? Hatred? No, not anymore. Reach a little deeper… apathy. Wonderful, brilliant apathy. The band aid for feelings. Why has it taken this long to realize that respect is what matters most in the world? Respect is what keeps animosities at bay, persuades opposites to attract, and draws the cautious towards the flames. Flames. Fire. Logs, crackling and whispering nonsense to velvet coated ears. Blankets tossed about tangled legs, protruding toes. Comfort.
