Three Years Ago

  ~ Three years ago….~

I pulled out a poem I had been working on. Today felt like the day to finish it. As I wrapped up the last few lines, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around, and there was Oliver.

I sighed. “What do you want, Oliver?”

He just grinned and snatched the paper before I could react. “Let’s see what you’ve got,” he said, his teasing tone grating on my nerves.

He read it in silence:

I sat under the tree, The tree of life

Watching the sunset as the stars slowly appear

One by one, They shine in the midnight sky

As the time goes by, I find calmness over my soul

Minute by minute, second by second

I start to feel at ease

Under the light of the moon and stars

It never feels dark

Even in the middle of nowhere

Or the cities

Where the street lights and building lights

Light up the sky

Even in the darkness

There is always someone or something

To light up your path, your world, your life

In the darkness of night

It is never truly dark

Because the stars, the moon, and the city lights,

And even the one you truly love

Light up the world

Because there is always light in the darkness

He looked at me, his face unreadable. “This is…” He paused. “Absolute trash.” He laughs.

I dropped my gaze, tears threatening to spill. He laughed, tossing the paper on the floor. He stepped on it, then returned to his seat. I didn’t move. I feared that if I did, the tears would flow like rivers.