"23 days this past year. Since Last November" By James A. Long. Submission for September/October challenge

September's didn't see a single submission so it was extended into October (along with a special Halloween challenge). This is James A. Long's submission to the "23 Days in the last year, since last November" challenge.

“23 days in the last year, since last November”


It’s never been such a cool day since I’ve last anticipated the calm and cool that’s never selective, the discomfort of it so unsettling that my nerves have forgotten to quake, now left to lie in slumber. Only on these days do I daze so unbecoming, too placid to inhale without quell of sensible exhale. In her eyes I could see the endless wonder I always wanted to ponder without portending a set future. In her eyes, I saw a future ever so boundless. And yet, for days on a counter like sand in the hourglass, fire put its rage on display for me to try and temper. She is mine, though she may not be mine. I tenderly cry at the wander of my thoughts, as to why I yearn with such fraught to carry her as an anchor.

        But upon recollection it was unto a breach of cold water… That had my heart aflame. Decidedly, it was defiance of her way that drew her to my mind so often I could nary resist a persistent smile and stare. Yet I could never put a pulse to her desire, only hope. Indeed, impulse had me less wary of her disposition, and you can, usually, always sense the temperament of such a woman. I discipline my constraining thoughts to better heed her reluctance, only to vie even more for an affection met in each glance.

       It matters little, it seems, the deep turn of definition of love we’d enhanced by our stars aligning. Without a lie, we redeemed our reward of either’s presence, and with only a kiss, sealed our fates as if it were a fortnight of thought despite the whine of time so occluded by time turning against us by days past, or yet to come, alike.

       But with only 23 days in the last year hers and mine, since the cold meeting of our hearts last November, I could never meet my own eyes in hers and concede to the horror of us having nothing left. Lest she be mine forever with less to give, than lost to me with my heart to take, break.