"Keeper's Room"

“If walls could talk,

“What do you mean “if”? You should say, “when walls talk… listen.”

“I’m the 2nd built here in the “Keeper’s Room”. Silly to separate out the 1st from the rest of us, I know. However; the eons spent here, in this place, have created the need for conversation on every topic, however minute. Therefore, I am the 2nd wall built in this room especially to comfort our “Bemused”.

I remember vividly the day that Ershewan brought me to be. It was a windy season and a breeze was blowing thru the dingy and somewhat tattered lace curtains of my open window when we came to be. She was human, unlike me. I took in, with awe, her strawberry streaked hair accented by light blue eyes and pale, freckled skin. Soft hair, soft skin, curving and moving. I, being so differently made of wood, and paper, and straight, flat lines.

Her Tempers shrieked as she entered our space. Seemingly unfazed by the Tempers’ fear, she floated to the window where she could survey the grounds outside. Leaning closer, she rested a hand against my surface and shared her story with me.

She was only just beginning to love, when cold, hard steal, breaking in shattering anguish, sent her through the portals of space and time looking for the life she had lost. Not able to let go, she couldn’t grasp the hands of fate and spiraled away from the truth. So she walked among us, while the others of her kind lay in repose waiting to return to their beloved home.

It’s because of her that I exist at all. The Creators decided to build a home of her kind to keep her in comfort and ease her confusion until her remembering became. All of us in her home were covered from top to bottom in pastel colored papers decorated with pictures of periwinkle flowers.

Outside of the walls, Ershewan also had access to elaborate gardens, with every flower imaginable and an atmosphere simulating her planet complete with the same seasons, mountains and flowing waters. She figured out very early on that this wasn’t her “true” home, however. The Tempers would flare, causing pain in her heart and although she pretended not to hear their doubts, tears would fall from her lashes.

She lifted her face to the sun daily and closed her eyes when the wind brushed her skin. She swam in the waters and played with the animals created for her company. She grew beautiful, fragrant gardens and cooked delicious meals. We held many conversations between us, and all the while, she wondered, she searched.

“Wall, who am I? Why do I feel as if something is wrong? I am so alone here. You, who know everything about me, tell me from where did I come?”

“I only know about you, that which you have shared and that which I have witnessed in this place.”

“But, that cannot be all there is. Sometimes, I have strange memories of many, many tall houses, people like me and, it’s weird, but not being alone.” “What does that mean wall?” “I’m not alone?”

“I can tell you that you were somewhere else before you came to be here. I only exist because you exist. I know that I am your “Keeper” and you are “Bemused”.

“Yes, you are here for my comfort and our love is true, but maybe if I could see outside of all we know here and outside of you?”

“You are right, I’m here to comfort and keep you, but I am your prison instead. I agree you should be brave and explore what’s beyond. Go now and see.”

My words were heard to the depths of her soul as breathing in light, trusting the dawn, Ershewan smiled and let go of what she’d known. Fluttering brilliance crossed over this realm and warmth touched our walls as she flew.

Now I, being the prestigious 2nd wall built in the “Keeper’s Room” know that Ershewan is home. Not just her final resting place either, but home in her own love and creations, full of wonder, forever.

Also being the 2nd wall she created, I will continue to hold close the Bemused who need “keeping” while finding themselves.