I get out of my 7 p.m. class
begging my feet to move faster
I pass other students
their laughter warming the crisp, autumn air
Lamp posts dot the sidewalk
casting a sharp metallic glow on the fallen leaves
scattered all over, pushing me to the side
Way down the path, car headlights
mirror the stars up in the sky
They twinkle against a dark velvety backdrop
as if they have never been touched by pain
My mouth moves, envious
they are the same stars I saw that night with you
A sharp gust of wind ruffles my hair and I think
of how you used to mess it up the same way
I pause, pinching my cheeks
Stop, a voice inside screams
but an image of you in your burnt orange T-shirt
and your best blue jeans resurfaces
pulling me back to the moment you winced
as I pinched your cheeks with cold fingers
I waited for a burst of anger
but you pulled me closer instead
I feel a familiar tug and I blink once, twice
a stranger in blue jeans passes by
He steps on the dead leaves
I have been carefully avoiding
and I wonder how easy it must be for him.
~
To view it in the journal, please click this link:
Comments