Highly commended

A Lost World

Barton Wilkes
Year 10+ Elizabeth College

He sat in his rocking chair, gazing at his lost world, reminiscing about what it once was. The vibrant colours once graced his eyes, the harmonic sounds once relaxed his ears, and the crisp scents once flowed through his nostrils. But that world was now behind him.

Lush forests had turned to barren wastelands, bright snowy mountains turned to dark and jagged assortments of rocks, and the world’s calm, cool breeze was now powerful and scorching. ‘What had happened to my world?’ he thought. ‘What have they done to it?’

This sense of anger flooded through his protruding veins. He couldn’t accept one of his masterpieces being destroyed by a species he once loved. But then he shut his benevolent eyes, and was immediately calmed by an image of the place he knew as home.

He walked through the place, taking in the vibrant colours surrounding him. The grass was forest green and was caressed by the calm breeze of the air. He bent down, feeling its watery, smooth, and natural texture that ran through his hand. It was the first time he really appreciated the intricate details of nature. He turned his head and lowered his gaze onto a family of deer. He saw the mother feeding her fawn and was complete immersed in the beauty of their affections.

After staying in his image for many hours, he finally slowly opened his eyes. He was unhappy to have to leave his image, but it was an experience that he would remember forever, and it inspired him to attempt to restore his old home. He wondered if there was any way to ever view his masterpiece in reality again.

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