Jenna looking into the pool, was arrested in her movement by the vision of her body: the hanging, pendulous breasts, the belly flowing out and down, the thighs as big around as other women's waists. She looked stricken at the sight until her tears dispelled the image and she was free to run away. Jenna walked the paths in darkness shunning the company of those who mocked, who teased, and worst, those who pitied. She stayed in shadows and watched through a vale of tears the laughing children, the courting lovers, the dancing maidens and the prancing youths. The wall of her flesh stood between her and them, and her pain filled her consciousness with despair.

Jenna strode along the cliff top, seeking the path of death. Small loss she would be, for such a large woman; small notice would they take of her absence. She stood on her high perch, and looked down at all that had been her life. Nothing called to her of love and caring. No sense of belonging, no sense of worth. She bent her knees her and took flight.

Jenna woke upon the shore, and smelled the sweet flowers, and heard the sweet songs of bright birds fluttering in the branches. Naked she lay, and there in the water, naked her body was reflected. She closed her eyes, and looked away, and felt the tender touch upon her hair.

"Why look away sweetone, from the glory that is you?"

Jenna's eyes flew open as she twisted to look upon the one who touched her, who looked at her flesh, and called her sweet. The women was neither young nor old. Her flesh was soft and warm, a rich earth tone that glowed golden where it curved out and shaded deep umber where it curved under. Her hair fell in dark waves down to her feet, robing her in a splendor no garment could match. Jenna was struck dumb by her beauty, and could only watch as she knelt and began to stroke her face.

"Your tears have flowed here for years, your pain has burnt deep in your soul. I have watched you long, and desired your sweet flesh. And see, now you offer yourself to me, and at last I may touch you, feel you. Come sweet woman, flame of my desire, come let my hold you and fill you with my passion."

Jenna reached her fingers, and touched the woman's face. She felt desire race from her finger tips down into her core. She surrendered to the loving her body had never known. Then lay spent in the embrace of her lover, at peace, at rest, complete. *** Jenna woke upon the shore, and looked at the image of two bodies twined. Smooth round curves flowed and joined. Breasts large and ripe stood like gentle mountains in a landscape full of deep ravines and softly rolling hills. Dark and light, their flesh intertwined, to give birth to a world of contrasting colors, of folds of flesh that swelled and billowed, and flowed softly down to the earth. Jenna looked upon herself, her lover, and was struck by the beauty of what she saw. She stared into the pool, and a slow smile curved her lips.

"Good morning my sweet, my dear heart. I see now a new fire in your soul, and new joy in your heart."

"Oh yes beloved. I never looked before with my own eyes. Always before, I looked in the mirror held by others. I never dreamed before of such beauty or such fire. I... thank you....... I... I don't even know your name......"

"Do you not sweetone? Who did you seek on the cliff top? Who's path did your feet trod this day?"

"Death....." Jenna whispered, fear and joy and longing filled her heart.

Death kissed Jenna, and smoothed back her curls. She looked into the eyes of her lover and sighed deeply. "I will love you always, my sweetone, my dear, but now you must go back."

"Go back? Oh Death, how can I go back to all those who scorn me? How can I go back to all that pain?"

"You must go back my sweetone, for thou art Life, and without you there can be no birth, no creation. You must go back, but here, in this place we will meet each night when you walk the paths of your dreams. Or stay here now, and let them die as they will with no new life to take their place."

Jenna remembered the laughing children, the courting lovers, the dancing maidens and the prancing youths. She remembered the gossiping matrons, and the oldsters sharing stories over cups of ale. She remembered the new born babe looking at the world with eyes of wonder. "I will go back." Death took Life in her arms and kissed her sweet lips. "I am here beloved, always in your heart, in your dreams. You walk the harder path then I. You give me meaning. You are the core of my soul." Death kissed her lover's eyelids, and Life slept.

Jenna walked proudly into the village strange dreams haunting her memories. She smiled at the children, and called greetings to the matrons. She joined the dancing maidens teaching them new steps. She walked along the sunlit paths, shining with her glory. And at night she trod the dream paths and kissed the lips of Death.