The old bell tower stood silent guard

High above the small town,

With a lone Raven perched within.

Surveying the dimly-lit street below.

It was warm that night. Unseasonably.

So the girl decided to take a walk

To fill her lungs with the fresh air.

And to think.

Just to think.

About….things.

She sat down on a park bench positioned

Directly beneath the bell tower.

The Raven eyed her curiously.

There is no need to describe this person,

Because she could be anyone.

You.

Me.

Anyone.

We have all had times when we simply

Needed to take time to be alone and think.

Wonder.

Imagine.

Dream.

Regret.

On this particular night, this particular girl

Was troubled.

And the Raven knew.

He watched for a few moments

Before spreading his sleek, coal-black wings

And gliding to perch on the same bench.

The girl was so deep in thought that

At first, he went unnoticed.

Then, as if she felt his presence,

She turned her head and spoke.

Good evening, Sir Raven!

How handsome you are!

The wise Raven listened,

Cocking his head from side to side.

As the girl told of her disappointment

In the Human Race.

Its cruelty.

Its hatred.

Its soullessness.

How people failed to live up to

Her expectations.

Of kindness.

Gentleness.

Thankfulness.

Love.

But most of all, Peace.

The Human Race seems to wear

Permanent blinders.

Unable to see what isn’t directly

In front of its eyes.

People speeding through time,

Unable to slow themselves down.

To live,

Not just breathe.

They are disconnected from each other.

And often from reality.

Self-absorbed.

Selfish.

The Human Race seems to have

Let itself down.

And does not know how to raise itself back up.

Perhaps it has no idea how far it has fallen.

It has lost sight of all that is good.

When the girl stopped,

She looked into the Raven’s eyes

And asked:

How are we to survive?

To which he replied:

Indeed, the Human Race has its collective fingers

Poised above the Self Destruct button.

It is only a matter of time before the

Sheer weight will give way.

Be prepared.

Live your life.

Breathe the Ocean air.

Walk among the trees in the Forests.

Connect your Spirit to all living things.

Live up to the same expectations

You have of others.

Fill your Spirit with happiness.

Create your own Peace.

And with that, the Raven returned

To his perch in the bell tower 

To resume his vigil.