Burdens of Life
An imaginative composed by Manuel (Year 11 Advanced English)
The last bands of daylight reached the earth and serrated themselves around a vibrant fire pit. A group of young boys withstood the force of the crisp, summer wind, tussling every pocket of warmth the inferno gifted them. They told tales of their reckless endeavours while they consumed bottles upon bottles of alcohol, yearning to escape the burdens of their lives. All but William, who stared into the flame, entranced by the fiery flicks that dissolved into nature. The blaze, elegant and bold, bent and leapt across fire log to fire wood, leaving shimmering remnants which the sky collected, twinkling into nothingness. The tender roar of the crackles the fire pit spewed, drowned out the outlandish jargon that defeated the tranquil night. Staring off into the enchanting bush he wondered what else is out there?
“Oi, Will.” The sound of his name restrained him, restricting him to the parameters of the get together. “Are you alright mate?”
“Y-yeah. Why’d you ask?”
“It looks like you’re seein’ stars!” His friend replied before filling the void of silence with purposeless conversation. Stars. I wonder what they look like tonight, he thought. He looked toward the glooming heavens speckled with luminous gems seamed into divine constellations amassed behind the swaying silhouettes of lumbering gumtrees and ethereal eucalyptus. Sirius- the diamond of the Southern Sky- left William in awe as its light reflected and shone, caressing his mind and soothing his soul. It gleamed across his glass like eyes and warmed his glaciated skin. The Southern Coss etched into navy stratosphere, twinkling in all of its picturesque wonder. The crux’s presence submerged William into a euphoric dream until a painstakingly familiar voice pierced the serenity William craved.
“So, what are your thoughts?” A pair of eyes loomed over him, searing with treacherous intent.
“My thought…on what Jack?” William asked.
“On Millie. How do rate her?” Jack grinned, eager to finally get a word out of him.
“I mean, she’s alright.”
A silhouette peeled away from the cover of darkness in a clearing nearby, and waded around the bush catching William’s attention. More shadows emerged cloaked by the light the fire gave off, incomprehensible to distant onlookers.
“Where are you going Will?” A chorus of boys chimed.
“To get a better look.” William replied. The scarlet light melted into hues of soft sapphires, akin to the native ecosystem and as William approached the clearing, the figures began to take shape. He noticed it’s bipedal stance and small forearms, then its powerful hind legs and steady tail as it bounded across the small field. Mere meters away, the macropod’s large ears perked up, absorbing the vibrations from William’s meticulous steps. A shower of silvery moonlight settled around them and finally William saw it, in all of its beauty and elegance. It’s deep, rich eyes which the moon gave a lustrous glow. The pores of its sensitive snout and the intricate sequencing of its khaki coat and sandy pouch. Peace washed over William, the burdens of his life a distant memory.
