Standing at the edge, a young bride peers into hazy nothingness. A swinging bridge in front and a yawning abyss beneath – did she know what she was doing? “Come hither little one, let me whisper in your ears.”, a voice looms out of the darkness. Danger, risk and adventure being synonymous with her name, she leans further still. This day is about her – for once. Not the white gown, not the make-up - her beauty is defined by a quiet look of determination. Her eyes display intent to reach the other side, marred only by confused thoughts of “across or below?” She sighs and takes a step forward, engulfed by a swirling mist. Thoughts and emotions hit her hard, memories try throwing her off-balance. She shudders, extends her hand to grip a railing that isn’t there. Eyes wide, she takes a deep breath, “I have to do this.” “Nightmare or dream come true – take your pick. Face your past and fears. There is no escape, until you’ve seen it all over again.”, whispers the faceless voice. From the mist emerges a shadowy shape, a figure she was unprepared for – as always. “Red roses in full bloom
Beautiful, but watch those wicked thorns
The ones that seek to protect and defend
Even against the most harmless
Seek the ones that you sought once
There may be no other time” Thus said, the misty figure disappears. She looks at her hands, at the bouquet of white roses in her hand, watching them as they slowly stain red. “Beautiful pain..Yes! That’s what it is, this relationship you longed to end but could never let go. Pandora’s box opens again – let’s see what you get.” Suddenly, she hears laughter, of a man happy and content. But it chills her bones. “No. Not you. Again.” “Yes it is I – the Joker
The albatross that you can never hide
Spiels of laughter define my very existence
And the undying mockery I made out of you
It is I who keeps you awake night after night
For this is not a cruel joke, just life.” And he blends into the thick fog, his laughter dying alongside. Yet, it echoes in her ears – never forgotten, never remembered. An anguish that she will never be able to let go, that none will let her lay in peace. “Can you place your tourniquet higher still? Higher and higher till you reach your throat..Squeeze it tight..Relief forever!” She takes another step forward, heavy heart and weary head, only to collapse mid way of her destination. Head bowed low, she cries, cries for help – with not a soul to hear her. “A cursed being – a plague, a disease
A dark alleyway, an unlit highway
A pinch of cyanide, an IV of hope
A 100 ft drop without a harness
Only, this is not an amusement park
Arguments, counter arguments
Justifications and twisted facts
No courtroom, yet sessions adjourn
Verdict’s out, unvocal but enforced
The silver lining long gone, thunder rolls on
An eerie blankness, cold comfort
Songs unsung, dreams unravelled
A merry go round gone wrong
Stuck in motion, in the same place
Inertia, no wheels turning
Or simply paralysis.” Thus ends her soliloquy, but not her fight. Scrambling to her feet, she looks toward her destination. But in all the confusion, she has lost her sense of direction – not knowing front from back. There she stands, wide-eyed and aghast, till this day. No, she won’t risk the walk, there’s too much at stake. “For this blushing bride, was this the most important walk in her life? Probably. The most difficult walk – definitely.” | 
