Mercy

Every moment of her life had been marked by her soul, waiting and restless, trying to elevate itself.  Yearning.  In the end, she had done what she had HAD to do… she recognized herself only from a great distance.  Was she Mary Poppins?  Pollyanna?  A doe-eyed Disney princess?  She remembered driving across Western flatlands, as fast as she could, her head out the window, her face into the sere wind.  

She, an Air Force pilot’s daughter, felt bad for the poor stewardesses, who knew what was coming in a way mere passengers could not know… stoically dumping everyone’s shoes in the bathroom.  Collecting all sharp things, taking people’s eye-glasses away from them.  She remembered walking along the edges of the Atlantic, feeling the cool sand under her toes.  Mother Universe keeps her eyes on us all.  

Someone reached out to grasp her hand, solid & firm.  She grasped back.  She looked at the sun through the little window, a flashing brilliant light, and lightly closed her eyes.  It would be quick, merciful, and good.  And right now?  Right now she was still alive.  She was still a witness.  There was no other way to get through life.  Mercy was revealed, and blinded her.  Everyone was waiting.