Mi Morena

He hid in the shadows day after day, peering from the window of his second story room, always awaiting her coming. His heart skipped within him as he watched her round the corner and move down the street. It was Morena. Her beauty was breathtaking…her slender form…her dark hair blowing in the wind. She was, as always, light on her feet. She moved as one constantly dancing. She had laughter in her eyes. Her presence was a beautiful vision.

He loved her with all of his soul. He desired her to be his lover; yet, he had never so much as spoken a word to her. How could he speak? Her mere presence took away his breath. What would he say? Words could not be found to describe how he felt. And so, day after day, he remained silent, hiding, watching…ever longing. His heart was full when he saw her; and yet, somehow empty, because of fear of losing his dream.

She worked across the street in the cantina. Sometimes he caught glimpses of her as she moved past the window. Each time his heart soared for the moment.

"Mi Morena," he whispered to himself.

Then he would wait in silence for her to emerge. It happened each night at the stroke of midnight. The love of his life would walk down the street to her house, where she lived with her father and mother.

Another night passed, and for another night he simply let her walk away. He knew she didn’t have a lover…though many sought to be her suitor. She was pleasant to all of her customers, but none had captured her heart.

She’d not yet met the man of her dreams; but in her heart, she knew he was out there...somewhere. She knew he was waiting for her. One day she would find him.

Then one night the rain started falling, a breeze was softly blowing. It wouldn’t be long until the stroke of midnight. He watched with concern from the window of his room. Then, as always, the object of his affection stepped out into the night. The rain was falling down. He yearned to run to her, to cover her with a coat and to escort her through the rain to her home; and yet, once again, he remained motionless.

She stepped out into the rain and much to his amazement, looked up into the falling drops of water. As they washed her beautiful face, she lifted her arms and began dancing in the rain. Her body rose like a bird of grace. He realized in that moment why he adored her. She loved life and all that it would bring. Whether it was the sun shining upon her face or the fresh drops of the rain wetting her hair. She welcomed it all, even as she welcomed the rain this night. She laughed, spinning around, her feet splashing, the water soaking her dress, and all the while she danced.

Suddenly, he felt himself moving toward the door. He descended the stairs, grabbing his coat as he did. He quickly moved out into the street and approached the object of his desire. He placed the coat over her shoulders. She looked into his eyes for the first time. She saw the innocence…the gentleness. She welcomed his gesture. He put his arm around her to protect her from the rain and walked with her to her father’s house.

As he departed he whispered to himself, "Mi Morena."

The next night, as she emerged into the darkness at the stroke of midnight, the kind stranger was waiting for her. He escorted her to her father’s house once again. They said nothing. Neither needed to speak a word.

Again, as he walked away he whispered, "Mi Morena."