It was a quiet afternoon as I sat on the hillside
Looking across to a place far away.
It was there, as it always was, shining in the sun,
Its emerald radiance more attractive than ever before.

I stood to look more closely, then sat again to think.
How could I fit in within its perfect lines and shapes?
Twice more I rose and stopped, too afraid to answer the call.
Then finally I stood and called its name and timidly heard its response.

Quietly it murmured its attraction for me.
Its response hushed by a distance too great.
It promised to love me, if but from afar
And hold that secret locked in itself, never daring to say it out loud.

I knew it wanted me as much as I needed it,
In a way too private to explore.
I was blind in my heart to the things by my side,
To the comfort of home and of hearth.

I put it aside and went back to my home
Only to dwell upon its call and turn a deaf ear
To the place I'd called home for all these twenty-eight years.
And I cried from the depth of my soul for the promise of love far away.

Then the tempest arose within my own mind
And I cried out to it again and again, begging for the chance
To be nearer to it, without knowing what lies still within.
And it answered with words of encouragement and told me how to approach.

I should travel to Alexis and wait there for it.
It would welcome me there if it could.
It would find a way to open its gates and allow me to enter within.
With no promise yet made but so many desired, I went!
And didn't look back.

Time passed as I learned the ways of her streets
And found comfort and warmth in her arms.
Her emerald more green than the blue of the sky as seen from the side of my hill,
Now too far away to remember, too long ago to go back.

But the city is full of so many things - the hustle and bustle of life,
The rush of so many distractions - the press of others upon her heart.
I called out her name. She would always respond, if only in whispers too soft.
For the din of the city can drown out your shout with the call of others more near.

I will live for the day when I have mastered this place -
with patience and love and desire.
Tamed its streets and conquered its pace les't I forget the call that was made...
Come loving to me she said without fear. You will be mine if only you dare.
But can I survive and not perish in fire, burned by the warmth of her heart?

Has anyone seen the Good Witch of the North?
Can I ever return to the farm?
Do I want to? Or need to? No! Never again. My life is here in her arms.
This city with soul and love and devotion is more mine than hers after all.

Click your heels if you must - run back to your place.
I will stay and live where I must.
I have seen the lights and the promise of love.
I'm addicted to life 'tween her walls.
Where love and happiness can only begin to describe my life deep within.

Some day I shall rise to sit by her side in the throne room with all of its gold.
But richer am I than a thousand kings, bedecked with their gold and rings.
For the love of my life has given to me what they wish for and cannot attain.
I will stay and love her more deeply today than I loved all the things of my past.