107 years ago

"Celyn? Come on, don’t dose off! Let's have a picnic by the river!"

The voice belongs to Miro. She is one of the few humans that I know, but there’s nothing remarkable about her.

"I am tired, Miro."

I don't understand why humans are so into nature. I’ve been watching nature's ebb and flow for millions of years and never quite understood the fascination.

"Pretty please?"

Miro looks at me with sparkles in her puppy eyes.

"Fine." I sigh. Her face lights up. I have a soft spot for that look on her.

She holds my hand and rushes to somewhere.

"See?" A shallow, long river unfolds before my eyes. It laces through the grassland and extends for miles and miles. Flowers bloom across the lush meadows, like scattered stars.

We lie down on the grass.

-----

65 years ago

Back again on the shallow grassland. River flowing behind me, I lie down on the grass once more, feeling its tickle against my skin.

Miro is lying next to me. She is gazing into the night sky. I see the reflection of stars in her eyes again. Ten years ago...maybe twelve years ago, she loved to look at me with her sparkling eyes as well.

"Do you believe in reincarnation?" Miro suddenly turns to face me. I see the reflection of me and the world.

"No, I’m an atheist."

"Why?"

"Why, I don't need a reason...Miro?"

She stares at me interrogatively.

"Fine...I don't know the answer. But let me think."

"It's okay," Miro smiles. "Just remember to give me an answer someday."

"Why did you ask?"

"Because…Time goes fast."

"So?"

"So maybe I'd like to re-experience the world. Maybe with you in it, too!" This imagery seems to have lightened her up. She giggles and lies down on my lap.

"Close your eyes," she whispers.

It was one of the most marvelous nights I have ever had. I see myrtles behind her quietly falling in the breeze. The faint scent of those white stars blows over Miro and falls silently on me. Flowers will not fall on her forever, just like spring has never visited me eternally.

Maybe we are not that different after all.

-----

??? years ago

"Why don’t you ever change?"

I see the petals crumpled into pieces in Miro's hand. She gazes at me as she touches my face. I know what she sees. It is too smooth. Not a single wrinkle. I suddenly hate myself. Years leave no scratches on me. Miro, Miro. I sobbed in my heart. Remarkable wrinkles grow in humans. Flowers are blooming and withering at a tremendous rate.

"Don't say goodbye, Celyn."

I try to reach forward and grab her, but I could no longer reach her.

Miro seems to suddenly remember something. She smiles."Do you still remember my question?

I try to speak, but my throat tightens.

Miro shakes her head and smiles again. "Nevermind. It is not important now."

The world grows quiet.