Parker's Journey

Every night at midnight, the purple clouds came out to dance with the blushing sky. The sea greeted them with calmness and the air with the scent of lavender. White sails of the ships in the port stood tall against the night sky.

Parker stood on the deck, leaning over the port rail; the ship was in the sail.

Every night since the ship sailed away from the Cape of Good Hope, Parker was watching the night sky from the boat. These waters were Parker's uncharted territory. The view of dancing, feathery clouds shedding purple and violet lights on the swaying waters filled Parker with curiosity. Taking in the purple glow of the shadows, the warm atmosphere, sweet air, and rhythmic movement of the ship were delightful. And a deep breath of fresh air with the soothing scent of lavender opened Parker's heart-to-heart- desires.

The dancing purple clouds were mesmerizing, and their constantly changing shapes were no coincidence. Soon, in the blushing sky, Parker recognized an image of a swirling dress transforming into a slim and delicate silhouette. She moved mysteriously and with a unique grace. The tempting winds were messing with her hair; she was sensible and accessible. Parker couldn't resist a thought: " What if I could be her?". It was a happy thought, and Parker welcomed it with warm curiosity. " How would it be to live her life?"

Suddenly the scent of lavender becomes vivid again, and the purple cloud proudly arches her neck, reaching out to Parker. It was a friendly and inviting gesture, but Parker did not reciprocate. There will be another night...

But on other nights, the ocean waves became like the bowing backs of jumping dolphins, and the mastheads of the sails of the swaying ship were poking the blunting sky. Parker was searching for a purple silhouette in the clouds in vain. But her purple smile remained to shed pink lights on the waters. Her frown could still be found between the edges of the clouds, and her silent sliding on the waves was still present. And Parker was delighted to be a part of it.

When the ship arrived where two oceans meet, the midnight light had begun to fade as her smile disappeared in the water. Loyal to one sea, the purple clouds were reluctant to approach another, and they courageously met, nearing shades and bands. When strong wind arched the boat's sails, Parker could hear distant cracks of thunder. The sea swelled from all directions, and the electric smell of thunderbolts filled the air. The ship was swaying dangerously from left to right. Parker was soaked and strained, grasping the rail with stiff fingers until a bright light divided the darkening sky. In its white light, Parker's skin looked pale and translucent. The light came from a distant cloud; it followed the ship with a hiss and entered the ocean quickly like a diving snake. The water rose again, and spinning air moved across the sea with a speed of a hurricane, with grey and yellowing sand covering the sky. White claws of foaming waves threatened the ship. The storm spun around its center. It was in this center where frightened Parker saw a sapphire eye. With trembling shoulders, wind whistling in ears, and a fast-beating heart Parker looked up to meet this round, quiet space. The storm intensified, but the sapphire blue began to expand. It embraced the sky with profound clarity and gave air the scent of freshness. The waters settled, and the ship slowly entered another sea. Parker was exhausted yet strangely at ease. The stillness and depth of the sapphire sky emanated peace. Thousands of flickering stars dotted the sky- a pale moon ascended in the distance. The ship floated motionlessly; its tall sails cast the moon's shadow.

Parker straightened a soaked, cramped jacket and reached the pocket carrying the Cape of Good Hope map, with a thought that life journeys always come a full circle but arrive at the starting point on a new level.