Just like Heaven

I've been playing in the sand for so long. It's spread out beneath me, everywhere. I've lost myself here. All I can see is the sand in every direction. I see no by roads to escape.

I never tried to see any.

I ventured in to its midst by chance; and later kept walking in deeper; by choice. There was no one around. I had it all to myself. And I had no reason to believe I couldn't make it mine. So I kept on walking. So long that finally I had nothing but the sand around me and it was heaven. The one I had seen a million times before in my dreams.

Then one day I was playing in the sand, building castles and smiling when I heard a laughter from further deep. I looked in to its direction and saw a figure; it was a rapture. One of someone who knew he had no further to go.

The sand was in the air, the breeze helping it conjure up the most fantastic of shapes. It seemed to have life and it was playing with him; happily and content. And so far, I never had the breeze blowing my way......I kept playing; hoping some day I'll reach just as far. And then; the breeze would blow and the sand would rise up in delight; blanket me; dance around me; joyous; and Heaven........ would be mine.

I kept walking on; believing it can't be far away. The figure was still in sight and the sand would now fall back and then rise again around him. He was caught in a moment; of divinity and it didn't seem to pass him. I trudged on. I had walked quite a long distance and looked up to see how far I still had to go. I saw him. He was still a picture of mirth.

..........And he was just as far as I had seen him before.

I knelt down; looked at the sand. Bringing down my finger I began writing my name in the sand. With every next letter I wrote the previous one faded off. The breeze had come; and it was blowing across me. Further still, She was still in the air; building around him the heaven he had been seeking.

I dug my palms in to the sand and brought them up clasping my fingers; and for a moment it was inside my palms. Before I could smile, I felt the trickle between my fingers. It was slipping and there was nothing I could do. I clasped them harder and the trickle broke in to a frenzied flow. I kept them locked for a long time after the flow had ceased, and there was nothing left in my palm; save the few grains. I knew I couldn't ever make it mine, not by my choice. Ever.

I walked on; the last few grains sticking to my palm. To be kept mine; forever. Precious. Priceless.