as I wandered the forest, the green leaves among, i heard a wild flower singing a song

she acknowledges vita nova’s quiet acceptance of the state of things as petal describes but is glad she doesn’t press on the subject. the thought of it is too tender, too painful right now to contend with. her heart twists with a small sharp longing for the prairie, the home she had built with jabari and their twins. . . it seems so far out reach. she imagined dahlia would want to leave soon, to wander and explore the world. she saw herself reflected in her quietest daughter in so many ways. it worried her most of all. daphne would be happy. she would stay content in the prairie, make friends and a life without trouble she thought… even if she did someday leave she didn’t see wanderlust or the desire to flee in her other daughter. she was more grounded. she hoped after she had spent some time away from the prairie, stifled there as she had felt, she might return at least to see them. and now she even held some small renewed flicker of hope that maybe things could be somehow ironed out with jabari… if maybe they could be together somewhere else, somewhere she didn’t have to face shamwari so steadily.

thoughts of herself evaporated immediately as she contemplated vita novas comments on warsaw. she knows the grey stallion is strong, fearless, and must treat her differently than other mares but she still wonders how that has been enough. she has heard the stories… he sounded like a monster. she would never admit as much to her friend. she had more respect for vita nova than that. will you be safe? you know you could always return to the prairie… though i… i fear that would bring his wrath down even harder on the ones we love… she blurts out the words, more as an afterthought… but it is how she feels. she does love them. in different ways of course, her brother as the strong friend and leader he was… the protector. and jabari, whose sweet steadiness and caring devotion had drew her in so easily. she doesn’t think, at first, how the remark leaves her friend cornered but when she realizes it she speaks again… they would gladly defend you. no matter how long it’s been or how complicated… but if your heart is with warsaw… then you must stay. he will keep you safe if he is half the warrior his reputation tells of…

p e t a l

mare : 5 : perlino dun : arabian mustang mutt : 13.3 : kafkaesque