The Skyline

She stood perfectly still looking out over the crashing waves of the tiny hidden bay. She stood in the exact same place everyday, looking out over the ever changing view. The skyline changing each day revealing the pure beauty of the earth and the hidden wonders of the world. Birds flying past her still strong body, flying close enough for her to feel the gush of wind as they past but not close enough to touch her. She was young yet her battered skin was old. She carried the weight of the world of her shoulders but despite this she carried on standing there, through the days nights and seasons. Always strong and always slightly windswept with a wise look about her. Her eyes revealed stories of smugglers and stories of the ever crashing waves taking lives, or witnessing the birth of new ones. Everyone knew the tall silent being that was her. The people of the town regarded her highly and were always wondering about the tales that she could tell.

The skyline was her favourite view. It was never the same and each new vista gave her a different sensation. The bright new sun rising over the eastern hills in the morning gave her a sense of wonderment and hope. A new day was starting, a new adventure and a day to witness new things. To always stand tall but to be as small as a mouse at the same time. Watching the people emerge out of their houses one by one, out into the elements just as she stood. The wind was cold on this particular day and her face felt like it was being whipped a hundred times over. However it did not hurt her, she was hardened to the weather of the British Isles. She was used to it and enjoyed the uniqueness that each new day brings.

Months past and her spot is still the same but now the sun is high in the sky. To her it feels like someone was pouring the suns rays over her smiling face. The warmth was a change, she wasn't used to it. She never felt the warm much but this caused her soul to melt and seeing the towns people even happier, children playing and people splashing in the sea, it made her happy. She watched as sandcastles were built on the usually murky looking sand, which now looked a shade of brilliant yellow. Mothers and their babies buying ice creams from the ice cream stall by the harbour. She stared at the ice cream man for some time, she realised he was like she was. Alone, outside and someone that had to battle the elements everyday. For his stand was open all year long, he stood in hope of customers in the long winter months with no one but some Chinese tourists visited the shack.

Autumn was close arriving, the days shorter, nights longer. She liked the nights that were cold and bitter. She liked to see the stars. Gives her things to think about. If on each one of those stars was there another person just like her, standing, watching. Another place to be explored. She once tried to count the stars but there was too many. This made her laugh; it was her realising that she could never count the stars because next time she tried it wouldn't be as fun. The autumn days were enjoyable, the people bringing out the hats and scarves, leaves falling, waves coming further up the beach and touching her toes sending chills through her body. Sea spray constantly hitting her face, but she didn't mind. She liked it, made her feel alive, and reminded her of the change in season. Leaves fell at her feet and a gust of wind through them up into the air. There was a flash, someone took a picture of her and the leaves, and she thought to herself that she would like to see that picture. A still image, a moment in time that could never be brought back.

Winter had arrived in early November. It brought with it fierce storms and destructive waves. She hardly ever saw the towns' people anymore. They were too afraid of the cold, thought it unreasonable to be stood outside. She did though, she stood, tall and proud in her spot by the beach. A bench had been placed just to the right of her for people to sit on and admire the view that she saw everyday. But she knew that they wouldn't appreciate the skyline like she did. Snow fell one day in late December, this saw the arrival of people from all round as there were hills nearby that were perfect for sledging. She didn't join the people on the slopes, she preferred her spot. Watching the tide come in and the sun setting. It was a perfect sunset today. A warm red mixed with pink and yellow. It cast its rays over the whole town illuminating her grey face.

She stood tall and proud overlooking the town she belonged to. The girl had loved this spot, she would come here everyday. That's why they thought it appropriate to erect the statue of her here. The phrase written along the base of the statue read, "Look up and out, enjoy the skyline, enjoy the stars and never forget that each day is different." Here, looking out over the bay and out across the sea and sky stood an angel.

A concrete angel.