10/18/11

Golden Man
By Christine Schnell


It was a cool spring day so I hiked in the green forest. I listened to the birds’ song. One was off key, and such a strange sound too. I looked up trying to find the source when I saw a large bird blocking the sunlight. No, not a bird. I realized the shape was all wrong, and as it circled away from the sun I could make out its features. A man with wings? The majority of his body was hairless, hard and shiny. Only parts of him were covered in what looked like golden feathers; his sides, hips and midriff plus the wings themselves that extended out of his back. Magnificent!
As he circled, I noticed he drew closer. A rush of wind nearly blew me off my feet as he became vertical. Soon he gently lowered his toes onto the ground. He left his soft wings extended, perhaps for a fast get away.
I approached him gingerly with amazement in my heart. He watched me curiously as I reached out my hand towards his golden feathers. He tenderly extended his wing so that I could touch it. I’d been so engrossed I hadn’t noticed his hand reaching for me. I took a step back as his fingers touched the tips of my hair. He seemed as fascinated with it as I was with his wings. With a deep breath I let him touch my hair, and he smiled as he ran his fingers through it.
“That feels nice.” I said to him. He only blinked back at me. Then I realized; “Don’t you talk?”
He opened his mouth and some strange sounds came out, a mix between a bird’s song and sheep’s bleat. I placed my finger over his lips as his eyes captivated me. They were golden like the sun. I have no idea how long we were like that nor how I wound up leaning against his hard chest as he petted my hair.
Slowly as the sun began to set, he pulled himself away from me. He pointed at me then the ground, and he beat his wings several times quickly gaining air. After several minutes, I thought about giving up but then he reappeared. He lowered himself softly before me, only this time he carried something with him; two dead rabbits, skinned and dripping blood.
I yelled at him. “What are those?!” He tried to hold one out to me. “No! Get that thing away from me. Go! Get out of here you monster!” I pointed at him, then the sky.
His shoulders slumped at my rejection. It was then that I realized his intent; that these were an offering. Before I could reconcile, he flew away.
Hopeless, and feeling like dirt, I began my slow walk home. Suddenly a shadow fell across the full moon. As if a miracle happened and an angel descended from the sky my golden man landed before me with another offering; fresh, cold, beautiful flowers from the mountain top. I graciously accepted these, and with lowered eyes said, “Thank you. I’m so sorry for earlier.” Then he did something unexpected; he kissed me on the cheek. I looked up in shock and he looked a little scared at my reaction. He tilted his head adorably as if checking if it were all right.
I smiled broadly and wrapped my arms around him. He chirped happily and nuzzled my hair. Now I have found my angel.


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Christine Schnell lives in sunny Southern California. She spends her time dreaming of new worlds and writing them for your enjoyment. She's been published in Page Dancers, and anthology by IFWG.