The Evolution of Shadows

A piece for my creative writing class. Our teacher gave us a list of 18 nouns that we had to use. It was tough, but I'm pleased with the outcome.

I suppose it all started
in the sheets of an unmade bed;
crinkled white cotton
stained
with hopeless dreams
and torn seams

Chapstick
like glue
between your fingers
leaving smudges
on ripped jeans;

You smile.

Your sequined eyes sparkle
like a thousand fireflies
captured in jars,
your smile bright
and never-ending;
Pale and bright
in the moonlight.

I feel the imprint
of your rings on our
fingers
and your breath,
hot and slow,
behind my ear;
a turtle’s crawl

you feel so small.

And you told me that
our bodies were a temple,
to never forget the
meaning of respect
and the ribbons of hope
we keep

Everlasting,
like your name
carved into the white
wood of the birch tree
behind my house,
where the dragonfly’s tears
fell to the ground,
soaking the land
in which we walk.

And boy, you always were obsessed
with tie dye and Bob Marley,
everything’s going to be alright running
through your veins;
But baby,
you knew that this was slow,
as far as mottos go.

For days the taste would stay in my mouth,
sweet as candy, bitter lust;
waiting.

My grandfather’s pocket watch
swings on my wall,
a few minutes too fast;
crumpled pages from my notebook
in the corners
of my floor;
waiting.

Somewhere in the sky,
a balloon flies,
rising until the air pressure
bursts
a thousand rubber pieces
floating to the ground
back into your arms,
where I should be.

As the days pass, the shadows grow.