Dream Journal: The Lion

There was a neighborhood lion. Sometimes people would talk, recounting their run-in with the neighbourhood lion. He didn't bother anyone--just walked around, as though lost in thought--acknowledged here and there. I never saw him. He was around, I could tell on my walks home, but my encounters with him would be from the safety of my house. The window, where I regularly stood when he came by, was elevated, giving me optimal viewing as I looked down at him flicking his tail, waiting for me.

One night, we had a party for our baby-cousin's birthday. My mom was on the stairs with our cousins, holding the little boy's hands in suspension as he moonwalked down the wood planks of our loft. By the sound of their laughter, the descent was worth the celebration on its own. I regarded the cheerful crowd from the door. Ambience cozy and welcoming.

Later, as we toast to the baby's three years, I was standing at the window looking out. The front gate flickered in my mind. It was unlocked and open. In the dark night, I found the lion, gold and glowing in the fog. We locked eyes and then bolted in the same direction, running parallel, towards the front door. I saw him bound up the steps, teeth blazing, before I slammed the door against his head.

BOOM!!! I saw the party, mouths agape, expressions seized in shock. My hands were splayed on the door, hair in my face, as I stood there, panting. I nearly cried with relief. The paws of the lion soaring through the air replayed in my mind. His stunning hair, cuddling face. He wasn't going to be happy.

I went to the window, and sure enough, he was terrorizing the street. A long mob of people running, fat people in the back. He tore into one, a shoulder first, the stomach next. The obese man was on the ground, wailing for help right in front of me. I couldn't do anything.

My brother joined me at the window then. Confirming my horrors, he put a hand on my shoulder. "There's nothing you can do." I felt one with the party then.

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Someone who's scared of one thing or another, avoiding danger, yet having a relationship with it, by keeping it at bay, protecting the loved ones, taking on more than one should. Then, when danger strikes, how much can one really do? There's gonna be some things you just can't control or keep perfect. Might as well let go. After trying so hard, there might still be damage. Let go of the outcome. Do your best. And be grateful for the people around you. And sometimes, there might even be more equipped people to come save the day.

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When emergency response came, they stitched him up. The man was going to be okay.