49.3

The feathers always reappeared at this time of year, since as far back as he could remember. He had always felt intensely drawn to and fascinated by them, but despite the years that had passed he remained as clueless to their origin and purpose as he had ever been. What further puzzled him was that nobody else ever seemed to notice them, or even to be around when they appeared, dancing and swirling through the air. He would silently sit beneath them and watch the wondrous display, wide-eyed, lost in the moment and strangely serene. But as he grew older, his curiosity grew more and more. Whilst the innocence and purity of youth had allowed him to fully immerse himself in the moment, with time he started to realise what he had somehow always known: these feathers were here for him. He sat lost in thought, collecting courage and contemplating what he might just discover if he so dared.

Words by Joel Stagg.