I am eighteen.
It’s summer.
I have just finished a closing shift and am walking home because I have no patience to sit around and wait for the night bus.
My legs are tired after eight hours on my feet, but walking feels good; I am exorcising the ache from my limbs.
The sidewalk is shaded by old elms that whisper to each other in the late-night breeze.
The moonlight is splintered by these long-armed giants, so my path is guided by the soft glow of the streetlamps.
It always feels so much more romantic than I think it should.
I take off my tie, and unbutton the top of my blouse.
Roll up my pants.
I like the feel of the light breeze along my collarbones, my bare wrists.
And I think of a boy.
I imagine him saying my name.
When I get home I change into clothes as light as air.
My bedroom is still hot from the now-lost sunshine; the memory of its heat has settled, and nestled itself in every nook.
A phantom warmth.
I open the windows as far as they will reach. I take a deep breath, and smell the sweet scent of night.
My sister is away for the weekend, so I am alone.
In the kitchen I look at the photos taped to the fridge; it’s like my family has been blown far and away by Aeolus’ winds, and my heart tweaks.
I make peppermint tea, and sit in the quiet of the living room. My cat Sophie perched at the window sill, her copper eyes brilliant, but still.
She too is listening to the whispering trees.
I want to pick up the phone and talk.
I would like to talk to the boy.
Feel his hand on mine.
–
Time passes.
My tea cools, and my eyelids start to droop.
I leave my mug, half-drunk on the floor.
As I walk about to my bedroom I realize I have once again forgotten to water the plants.
Tomorrow, I think.
My room is cool, and smells of silence.
I close the window, but not entirely. A sliver of moonlight shines through my curtains – a bolt of lightning etched into the centre of my bed.
Under the blankets I let out a small sigh.
Tomorrow I will eat cherries for breakfast, I whisper.
To the boy.
To the night.
To the trees.
Rant and Roll 
Delicate
Vivid
Beautiful
Thank you!
Love the rhythm of this. Gave me the good sighs. xo.
Thanks Chels. xx
Beautiful, simple rtnd oh so heart warming post.Loved it.
Your words are alive. Felt like I was alongside you. Moving, in that the thoughts behind our simple actions can hold so much.
Thank you for this lovely comment! And so excited to meet up tomorrow, MEEP!
I feel like I am right there with you – Beautiful:) Happy Tuesday!
Thank you! Happy Tuesday to you too :)
Magnificent writing Vanessa! I love these pops of surprises you add to your blog! I will never tire of reading your blog because you always have something new! Your writing range is higher than the mountains!
This is just the loveliest of comments! Thank you so much, I am humbled, truly. All I ever want to do is use my words to make others happy! x
I wish there was a “LOVE” button. Great stuff. Simply brilliant. And evocative.
Thank you, thank you! x
Romantic & soul searching.
Thank you so much! x
you FORGOT the “Poetry” tag.
it’s poetry. really. i think i used to be able to feel like that.
(recently i’m IN the meat-grinder, but it shouldn’t last more ‘n a few months, at most — and i’ll be back to marvelling at the interplay of sunlight on hillsides with the lacey shrouds of clouds, etc)
Urg, the meat grinder is the worst, truly. I wish you well to get through it as painlessly as possible! Also, how did Rosco Butchers the Classics go?
And thank you! This was one of those times where the words just flowed…
joon 8. (triathlon that a.m. !)
Good luck, good luck!
This is incredible
Thank you so much! :)