Flower Field
By: MJ Whelan
The fluff fell off the dandelions and danced in the wind with the girls' laughter. The edges of their white dresses dancing around their ankles and brushing against all the flowers of the field.
Green, red, blue, pink, purple, seemingly every color as far as one can see. A rolling field or meadow, whatever one prefers to use to describe the vast space. With laughter dancing through the air, smiles carried on the winds.
Grass stains on their bodies after running and dancing all day. Green stands out on the white of the cloth. A mark of the day's happiness and joy. Stains on their knees, hands, and even feet. From running barefoot and falling. Petals in their hair, from rolling or from the other. Does it matter? It's beautiful all the same.
Clouds soft as goose down drift past, over their heads. Sometimes they stop and watch, other times letting them pass as they move. The sky was the perfect blue overhead, not a hint of rain either. Blue and white over the entirety of its vast expanse. The perfect day.
The one tall oak in the field provides the perfect place to rest. They sleep in its shade sometime after lunch. White dresses make the perfect blankets for their legs; they sleep in the peace of the shade. The oak towering above them like a gentle guardian. One wakes earlier than the other and pushes her companion's hair behind her ear.
More dancing and running, putting new stains on them. Soft music plays, real or imaginary? It doesn't matter to them; it's still playing as they dance through the flowers again. It's not a fancy dance, but it's theirs and that's all they care about.
The red and white checkered blanket stirs faintly with the wind. The wicker basket keeps it weighed down as they dance in the distance. The great oak keeps shade on the remains of their picnic.
Night is falling, blue skies fading to yellow and orange as they finally wind down dancing. The sky is red and pink when they finish packing their picnic and radio, and walk back to the edge of the field.
It's purple and blue when they finally get in the truck, headlights flickering to life. Stars start appearing in the sky as they drive the dirt road home. To their little place off the beaten path, the flower field fading behind them. There, waiting for them to come back.