Colony Dreaming

By Gypsie Ami Offenbacher-Ferris

In response to Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (aka, FOWC)
Today’s word is COLONY.

They all look so happy, so content, each in their own little colonies. I like to watch, to see the warmth in their eyes as they greet. Husband and wife embrace and say hello, children run to their parents and grandchildren hop up and down to see what treats their grandparents and even great-grandparents may have brought them.

Little babies coo pleasantly along with the night songbirds and giddy tree frogs hugging the trees surrounding the village.

Evening settles and the women sing together as they cook. Batting away at the myriad of night insects hoping to catch a meal either from them or what’s cooking in the big pots.

Darkness surrounds the colony and the children are all asleep; all except one or two who stubbornly refuse to give up the fight against sleepiness. Eventually they grow quiet too, along with the dogs, cows, horses and other day creatures.

I hear the soft loving murmur of men, wrapping their arms protectively around their women as they slip into bed. Other sounds are heard, signaling my leaving time.

This colony is full. I sigh. I move on.