The Rocking Chair

The empty rocking chair sat alone on the porch. It rocked gently in the breeze. Over and over people walked by, but no one sat. No one took a moment to rest in the chair and to reflect upon his day. Days past into nights. Nights, back into days.

Finally one sunny day, a little boy let go of his mother's hand, when he saw the chair. But he did not see a chair; he saw a rocket ship. He climbed in and soared up into space. As the brilliant blue turned to black, he dodged stars and zoomed past the moon. He rocked invaders and saved the earth from the sun's death rays. Her voice called him back to earth, and the rocking chair was empty again.

Days pass by again. Walking home from school, a young girl sees her throne. She sits upon it with majesty and grace. She listens to her subjects and resolves their differences. The porch becomes the ballroom floor. She spins around her throne, watching her pink dress twirl and twist. Her crown tips back on her head, while she glances around her kingdom. As she chases her next dream, the chair is empty once more.

An old man, worn by years of hard work, sees the chair and remembers. He is back ages ago, holding his child. He sits in the chair and rocks his baby. He hums the lullaby that quieted his newborn, sent his toddler to a blissful sleep, and carried away the troubles of his teen. His eyes are closed, but tears
make their way down his cheeks. The rocking chair is still. The man pushes himself up and shuffles off the porch. The lonely chair waits.