When we opened the dictionary, at the top of the column there was a TROMBONIST. And at the bottom there was a TROTH, a promise of love. And even though nowadays nothing lasts forever, promises are something that should only be made to try and tame time. So, even though it’s not realistic, the only love that can be promised is eternal. Otherwise time would run away, like a scared animal.
At the top of a tower there is an animal. It has to be a shy animal, one that scares easily and can be tamed. So, we will say that it’s a horse, a centaur at the top of the Tower of Time. At the foot of the Tower there is a pair of lovers that know its secret. In order to reach the top, Time has to be tamed. One stair at a time. And the only way to do it is by making promises.
The lovers promise to meet the next day. And when they fulfill their promise, they take the first step. They promise to always love each other, and every day that goes by without breaking their promise a new stair appears in front of them. If their love lasts, they will tame Time. They will be a step closer to living forever. But the centaur at the top of the Tower knows what being tamed feels like. And he won’t let that fate befall Time. That is why he picks a trombone and starts to play. Out of tune. Trying to make the lovers break their promise.
And on that note, we end this fairytale. Because it is always easier to blame someone else.
He: I promise you forever, my love. Nothing will make us part, not even Death.
She: I believe you, my love. These stairs are undeniable. I know that there won’t be an end to them, because we have love on our side. Together, we will tame Time.
He: I love you.
She: The stairs don’t lie.
He: I haven’t broken my promise. I still love you.
She: The stairs don’t lie.
He: Do you still love me?
She: …
He: Loving you is the easiest thing I have done in my life.
She: I know, my love. It’s easier than breathing, it’s easier than breaking into song.
He: I don’t know why they warned us that our love wouldn’t last, that we would break our promise. How many steps has it been?
She: I lost count a while ago. It must already have been an eternity.
He: Do you hear that off-key music too?
She: I do. It’s the only thing I hear. It’s inside me, where my love for you used to be. I’m sorry, so sorry.
He: I know, my love. I cried, I tried to shed that all-consuming music along with my tears, but it didn’t work. This is as far as we go, there are no more stairs. I’m sorry too. This is goodbye. I would have loved to reach the stars with you.
Congratulations, you tamed me. I am not shy anymore. I am used to you. You should have broken me and my trombone while you still had the chance. Now you can only hope, that you can get used to me too. Because I will play. Off-key. Until your ears bleed. Until you forget how to speak. And all the promises you have made break at my feet.
I broke free. I shed the saddle you put on me. I will never be able to shed the scars you left, but I am free. And I will never forget. I know what you want to break, all those wild creatures that you will never resemble. I know why you started with a centaur like me. You needed a resemblance. Something you could hold on to and never let go. You started with me, to be able to move on to a horse. And once you broke that horse, and claimed its wildness for yourself, you would have moved on to Time. But I know you. I know how to break you too. If you want a resemblance, I will show you the one you deserve.
I know a thing or two about love, once, someone said that they loved me too. They broke me an put a saddle on me. But they said that they loved me, and everything was forgiven. There is love between us. True love. The one only a pet can give. There is a pair of lovers at the foot of the stairs. Something compels me to play my trombone, to bless their love, like I was blessed so long ago. And I can only hope they like my music. Because when they put my broken pieces back together, I lost my hearing and I got a saddle instead.
I will wait. Just a little bit more. I enjoy watching that pair of lovers climbing the stairs holding hands. I enjoy watching the love in their eyes, sparkling like stars, like musical notes. I want my eyes to sparkle too. When I take my revenge. Because I was born free, I was born wild, and they took that joy from me. And now that I have broken free, I will reclaim my joy in the only way I can. Playing my trombone. And breaking the stairs just before they reach the top. In the name of the stars, in the name of all the music that was born wild, and still hasn’t broken free.