Paper Hearts 2

2nd Draft 6-10-16

I saw it while walking through the forest. A red paper heart, hanging on a tree. There were more hearts, further in the forest. I walked towards them, knowing it was what I had to do. Each heart was special. Some were fat hearts, some were tall, others were colored dark red or a pearly pink. Written on each heart was a name, Samantha, Paul, Ryan, Alice. The hearts covered the trees, hiding the rough bark under a rainbow of reds. I spun through the forest, awed by the love each heart showed. A man followed behind me, loving the beauty with me. He was older, and moving slower. I stopped to watch him, hoping to catch his attention. The old man walked up to a tree, looked up, and caught a heart that was falling. A crumbled heart, with the name Tom, written on it in beautiful calligraphy. It was faded from many days in the beautiful sunshine. He stuck the heart to his chest, and continued walking. I watched, until I could no longer see him. I too, looked up. A heart fell from the sky and into my arms. Small and pink, not crumpled or torn. It had my name on it, so it put it on my chest like the other man had done. Then I, like so many others before me, walked away, leaving the forest of hearts forever.