Aya

The sky was clear the night Aya was born. I still remember how the light of the waxing moon shone brightly through the windows of the otherwise darkened chamber. Her tear-filled mother cradled her as if she were the most precious thing she'd ever possessed. Indeed, she was. Aya was beautiful, bearing her mother's auburn locks and emerald eyes, and a smile that melted my heart. Everything about that night had been burned into my memory for the occasion that it was, at once joyous and mournful.

         It was nearly a century ago when those of great influence had changed the destiny of humanity forever. Before that historic transition, medical wonders extended life expectancy to an all-time high. Subsequently, the global population strained the planet's resources. Wars were waged between the haves and the have nots. And, as all wars in mankind's past, nothing was ever truly resolved.

         So, on an evening when a full moon flew majestically across the evening sky, the world leaders at the time decided to enact a law that drastically controlled the global population. It was decreed that only babies born under a full moon were allowed to live. Those who weren't were swiftly destroyed.

         The law was strictly enforced and, for a time, it helped to ease humanity's demands on the planet. But it soon became clear that it was not enough, and the earth's population again rose to critical levels. That was when a subsequent regime implemented a tragic-- yet still considered the most humane-- resolution. An additional law was passed, and everyone's birth records were scrutinized. Those who were not born under a full moon were gathered and eliminated. The “Great Cleansing” they called it. It was a genocide like no other.

         Tonight, I marvel at a crescent moon while thinking back to that fateful evening seven years ago, and I choke back tears. A rustling behind me made me turn my head, and I smiled as I look at Aya's beautiful face. Behind her, my wife was busy packing what little effects we had. We have to travel lightly, after all.

         “We are ready, father,” said my daughter, wrapping a tiny hand around mine.

         I nodded, and headed into the cavern to finish packing our haul. They were closing in on us again, and it was time for us to move. This was our life now; a life on the run. I was not sure how our journey will end, but that didn't matter. I only have to look at Aya to know that our new reality was worth it.


Entry for "The Writer's Cramp - Poetry Week!" , 04/02/11
Prompt: Imagine a world where new moon, quarter moons, and full moon categorized you.
Word Count: 432