Woods

Something that I've always loved is the woods. And I can still visit the woods, in this era. They're a little different now, but at least they're still there. The deer aren't there as much, but they're there, and that's what's important.
It's important that the deer and the woods are there. To me it is, at least.
And what also matters to me is that I not leave the world in shambles. That's all I really ask of this era, is to take care of itself after I'm gone.
Today Reuben brought me to play in the woods with some other children. He and I sat in a tree and watched the other children run and play. They ran around, played tag, and it occurred to me that after all this time there were still kids doing what kids should do; play. Ironically stupid, I know.
Reuben used to tell me, when we lived in the city, how when he brought me here there would be other children and that those children would know how to play and I could play with them. And at the time it sounded like the best thing, but now I don't even want to play with anyone, I just want to sit here and watch the woods. All I want to do after all this time is watch. I waited for two hundred years to move and to play, but now that a time has finally come where I can play, I don't want to play.
Reuben, I asked. Why don't I want to play anymore?
Well, he said. Sometimes when we really want something we don't want it when we can finally have it.
Oh, I said. Has that ever happened to you?
Yes. He glanced at me. When I was seven I wanted to go to the city, and when I finally got to go when I was fifteen I didn't want to go anymore.
I nodded. It's okay, right?
Yes, Reuben said. It's okay.
It's okay, he said. It's okay to change your mind about wanting something.
It's okay to change your mind.
It's okay.