New Boston

Nestled within the quiet mystery of the White Mountains, hidden deep in a blanket of red and gold autumn leaves, rests the small but infinitely grand Mystical Kingdom of New Boston. Darkness never engulfed the kingdom when I was queen. The Light of Innocence burned away all the iniquities. Shining brightly, the Light guided my way as a constant companion, shielding me from any Darkness hiding in the shadows.

The wooded hillsides are cool and inviting even during the hottest of days and yet there is a warmth that is given to anyone who seeks the sanctuary and quiet peacefulness the forest offers. As the canopy of leaves dance in the wind the sun's light filters through to dance with their shadows on the soft moss covered stones. My greatest joy was to sit upon my granite ledge throne high above the valley, from there I could see rolling meadows of gold and green radiating out from my grand kingdom.

Winding through the heart of my realm flows a crystal clear river full of life and flowing with magic. The river is refreshed by spring rains and winter snows. A child understood the magic the river had to share could only be gained by valuing its beginning and end. The river never stops to see what the world has to offer, for it knows that life comes from within and only by following its course to the sea can the river's water unite with its destiny.

Skirting the walls of my Kingdom was a quaint little orchard where there grew the largest sweetest juiciest apples ever created. I would sneak in to indulge in the forbidden fruit, stealing bites bursting with sweet nectar that awakened me to a world long ago forgotten. Grander than the fanciest of wines, the risk of capture was the price paid: from the fruits simplicity the true sweetness of Life could be released and enjoyed.

Twice a year the townspeople would gather together to celebrate the magic that the kingdom had to bestow. Fireworks and carnival rides helped to fill the kingdom with squeals of laughter and grand merriment. In royal procession the town folk would parade through the streets, singing and dancing to the music of the band. To magnify their joy, the people would create wonderful images of heroes and compatriots such as Puff the Magic Dragon and Captain Kangaroo. These counterpartswould float as if by magic past wide-eyed children and the proud citizens of my kingdom. The community bonded as they created these floats, each co-creator would instill their own spirits to unite with the magic they represented.

As I look back, remembering the beauty and mystery of my kingdom, I ponder, "Is the Magic still there? Or has it been swallowed up by the ugliness and darkness that awaited beyond its frontier." I was the reigning Queen of this faraway land, no one knew of its miraculous spirit as much as I. Still it was torn away from me as a child from its mother's breast as it grows: never again to return to the Innocence of yesterday.