The razor wire and dew-moistened grass glisten in the glorious light of the Goddess, while the Katydids and Nighthawks serenade Her. These are the only sounds outside of the quiet rumbling of exhaust fans in the distance. With closed eyes you would never know this was a prison.

The yellow lines on the walkways beam into life, and only the brightest of stars can be seen in the silvery sky. The trees in the Yard cast ominous shadows, and provide hiding places for the Faeries and Gnomes that prefer to dance in the glow of Mother Goddess. Moths flutter around the lights in the warm air, attracted to the glow like the Djinn to the flame. Dust from their wings sprinkle down into the grass like confetti.

In the distance, a train whistle blows, and as the train steams pass the prison I am reminded of an old Johnny Cash song. Unlike the song however, I will look forward to seeing that sunshine in just a few short hours. As for now, the night wears on and I continued to bask in the glow of the moon-lit sky.

As the time continues to roll, the wee hours of the morning fall upon the camp, and as if on cue, the night falls silent. It seems even the Tree Frogs and Killdeer have their bedtime. The compound lays at rest except for the chosen few tasked with patrolling the facility.

A faint rustling and the clatter of thin metal, it appears the raccoons have found themselves a meal in the stacked cans at the chow hall. Nature's clean up crew is also on patrol it seems. A focused beam from my flashlight puts a glow in their eyes, and they scatter. Another meal interrupted. Rest assured however that they will be back for dessert soon enough.

As the moon begins Her descent into the Western sky, the first hints of sunlight begin to illuminate the Eastern horizon. Apollo paints a portrait of pastels as He slowly rises, His chariot pulling the Sun, chasing his lover across the universe. With her face full of light, Her focus is on her children. However in two short weeks, she will face her lover again, allowing her children to witness the beauty that lies within the blackness of the Dark Moon sky. As for now, the moon slips behind the trees, hiding Her face as the Sun makes it's first appearance over the horizon.

The sky over Lawtey turns from a glistening silver, to a brilliant orange, and finally to a radiant blue. Another day begins, and brings with it the anticipation of the future for many of the men housed at this facility. They long for the day that they too will see light over the horizon, and once again follow their lovers across the sky. 

As for me, the daylight brings with it the opportunity to return home to my own lover who is just now opening her eyes to the new day. We will sit together and tell the stories of our experiences, one of the conscious world and the other of dreams, until the time comes that I must return to work. And while there I will once again witness the beauty that lies behind the razor wire while patrolling Lawtey at midnight.

Finn GoldenFae