On Our Backs

• Cerys Graham, Grade 8, Our Lady of Sion College
• Short Story
• 2014

Excellence Award in the 'Write As Rain 2014' competition

We lay on our backs and admire the sun, as well as the clear days that are rarely ever appreciated. We think of the storms that so often rain down upon us, and hope that none are on their way. We never get up to retrieve and umbrella, or to build a shelter, though. We merely hope.

At night we watch the stars, increasingly few and blurry, wishing that they shone like in movies and books and our secret fantasies. We don't make a move to bring them back, to rid the world of smog and plastic, only long for them and hope that somebody else will do something about it. The problem is, however, that as long as we're waiting for each other, nothing will ever be done.

In the time between light and day we watch the clouds reflect the light of the sun, and cry and laugh and express our awe. Then we forget, as we have always done before. Once the beautiful light show is gone, all that exists is our sorrow. The world is an evil place, and all that exists is the storm.

Until the time that we stand up, this is all we will ever do; lay on our backs and watch. We are no longer children - though in a sense, perhaps - and have no mother and father to guide us. It's up to us to begin our exploration, even if we do not realise it.

Let's hope that we realise it, though. If we don't, who knows what could happen?