The sight took Nicole’s breath away. Although it was the first time she’d set eyes on the rows of speckled white, the feeling that rose up in her chest stopped short of taking her breath away.

There was, she couldn’t quite put words to it, but it was a sense of familiarity. The order and symmetry both a work of art and mystery.

For as you took another step or two- or three, four big ones.

Wha...

Saddled with strife, superlative suffering;

Sighing shadows in a softer light.

The soul’s suffocation seeking to shut out even slivers of sunshine.

Senses, stay yourselves!

Stand strong, with silent stillness see your sacker signals surrender.

Salute the sight shuddering with stupor severe.

Now seize the sentinel, swiftly show your strength!

Stage the splendid storming siege,

Sing your soulful...

Ever changing,

Ever the same…

Seasons come,

Seasons go, and come again.

As time marches onward,

The soul cycles in circles.

A new year begins as nature readies its rest. Leaves fall but minds stand at attention,

Come and go, and come again.

What comes first, the knowledge or the question?...