Chewbacca, or whatever his name is.
Originally uploaded by Tidewater Muse

He thought, for sure, the world is a wondrous place that can't be matched in any imagination.

Full of anticipation, he looked forward, the future not muddled with the clouds of what could be, but clear with what would be, a time of his own making.

It was a wonder, and yet he never once thought about it; it made him feel young.

Akenham
Originally uploaded by Simon_K

Nothing but a numbness, spreading, that made him aware, the colors washing over them in the light of the setting sun, orange bursting from across the way.

reeds
Originally uploaded by buzzhayes

With trembling hands, he parted the long stems, curious at what he'd see, but also filled with fear and wondering.

Overwhelmed, he thought of the possibility of an unlimited number of worlds, each created from a moment of decision made in haste.

Lavender Sunset Surprise
Originally uploaded by Fort Photo

While the smell of the Chesapeake tickled his nose, he wished for prairie and the scent of the heartland.

He was amazed how money slipped so quickly from his grasp.

"Remind me," he said, "why things aren't the way they were supposed to be?"

While wanting all voices to be heard, he knew that some voices would drown out the others.

Trapped, he saw the world spin, a flurry of light and dark and muted colors.

He'd been bit by too many parents who'd thought their own children were perfect.

He was certain parent/teacher conferences were not the preferred method for sobering up.

The slips of paper dropped from his hand as he realized once again he had not won the lottery; he was thankful the stones were smooth.

He thought about missed opportunities, realizing that every missed opportunity presented another for the taking.

Without thinking, he stepped off the curb and into the swirl of traffic, a river of metal and humanity moving without pause.

He knew life was calling to him; the churn of the world was in the way, silencing the call.

Green path to white
Originally uploaded by Pakueye

The path before him cut straight and narrow, a whispered calling in a land of plenty.

Oil Reserves in Doubt
Originally uploaded by Michael P. Whelan

He wasn't certain, but he thought perhaps this was the time to just slide on home.

Leaving the day
Originally uploaded by Pakueye

The waters of the river lead to the world; he felt a sense of connectedness under the darkening sky.

nuvole nere all'alba
Originally uploaded by ascaro41

No dream, he knew paradise was where he was, no matter where he was; now, if he could just accept this.

hell on earth III
Originally uploaded by sanabria

He remembered that in nearly every case, he had something to be thankful for, and he had a realization things could be much worse.

Suffering through a Friday afternoon with the knowledge that as each minute slips past, it will never be recovered.

IMG_4752.jpg
Originally uploaded by ijustine

He was pretty certain that Twitter was taking all his best lines.

Beauty At The Water's Edge
Originally uploaded by Steve Rosset

He was looking to the future and saw only still water and bright lights, a mirage twice over.

Maserati 2
Originally uploaded by jalopnik

He wasn't certain what was actually for sale...

Jan. 10. 2008
Originally uploaded by TedSher

He knew his own mild winter was merely either luck or a figment of his imagination.

shwaaaa
Originally uploaded by .kalil

Never content, when he stepped outside into the blustery wind off the water, he wished for warmer weather, all while remembering in the heat of August he'd prayed for winter.

"Look closely," he uttered, "and time stands still."

Lines in the sand
Originally uploaded by Keren Fedida

Water became sand as his mind withered.

Overhead
Originally uploaded by konaboy

With the new year roaring and tumbling over him, he knew that the spinning was beyond control; he could only ride and hope for the best.

We three...
Originally uploaded by Miss Aniela

He saw the three; he was entranced; he knew it was Christmas.

Paolo Pellegrin/Mangum, for The York Times
Originally uploaded by vegasmike433

He'd lost a day, but still he was certain the task would be completed.

Undisclosed Location
Originally uploaded by williskewl

Undisturbed at an undisclosed location, his thoughts were on finishing, not starting.

Documerica: Biking by Donald Emmerich, 1973 (NARA)
Originally uploaded by pingnews.com

Almost like a world lost; his memories were faint.

As he aged, he knew the days disappeared faster, each rising sun merely the calling to dusk.

P2270005
Originally uploaded by Tidewater Muse

No matter he didn't try, he kept adding to the Earth's ever-burgeoning population.

jubi and flo
Originally uploaded by crazymoflo

Desperate for remembering, he sought the words, words washed with the scent of nectar and the taste of mint.

that golden light...
Originally uploaded by Paula Anddrade

Summer holds on, but autumn waits, willing the heat to move south.

Business Graph
Originally uploaded by Mint Software

He was sure that the bubble was nearly played out, and he remembered the adage that "what goes up, must come down."

Day 124 : It's a Nice Day for a... Striped Wedding.
Originally uploaded by kisluvkis

He felt as if he'd been through the wringer, all striped and tired.

D r e a m y
Originally uploaded by imapix

Autumn was marching southward, colors spreading blanket-like over the undulating land.

The night was wet with humidity and heat; he felt oppressed by dark.

eden hall tree
Originally uploaded by surplusparts

Autumn, he thought, could not come soon enough.

Silver Wings
Originally uploaded by Coast Guard BM

The night sky beckoned him home, a temptation realized.