The Boy and the Universe

When once a boy stood at the edge of a field

The Universe stopped for a moment and said

Pardon me son, have you thoughts now to run, to play and skip and to race

Not me, said the boy, for I cannot see past the hand right in front of my face

My eyes are not right and the sun is too bright, I would stumble should I try to race

The Universe paused, filled with sadness and said,  come, lift your hands to the sky

And with that the boy did as the Universe said and the winds began to fly

The boy lifted off as the sky breathed in and the air swirled around the boy’s feet

He rose above the field, the trees and the land

He rose above homes and lemonade stands

He rose above oceans and into the clouds where he felt the cool dew on his brow

He opened his eyes and a smile grew wide as he understood his new friend's intent

He saw the kind eyes of the Universe and the Universe looked down at the boy

Both locked in a gaze that lasted for days and filled both their hearts with great joy

The Universe explained, with sadness and pain, that he understood the boy’s lament

For the clouds fogged his sight as they swirled around the world and he could not easily see

The boy understood, said he was sorry and promised to watch for clear skies

And the Universe was happy and put the boy safely back down in the field, satisfied

And when clear skies came the boy ran to the field and squinted his eyes to the sky

And he waved hello from the field below, looking into the Universe's eyes

The Universe looked down and smiled at the boy and warmed his face with the sun

And the boy lived his life always feeling quite proud that he and the Universe were one