The Bird & The worm

I met her at the counter. She wasn't the cashier, nor was she the person in front of me. Instead she was the person behind me.

And without looking, I unknowingly took the opportunity.

"I'm in no hurry. Do go before me, young miss."

She peered up with from her grocery basket, with the world's finest pearls for her magnificent blue eyes. Golden waves the length of her arms cascade across the back of her neck, while in front they protrude out of her wide brim hat and fall over her right eye. Her luscious gloss red lips morph in shape, but I can't listen. I freeze for I-don't-know-how-long and subconsciously my mouth drops. Her perfect eyebrows rises in slow motion and a grin breaks on her face as she gigg-

"Are you okay?"

I suck and swallow a stalactite of saliva and snap my jaw shut as I force myself to turn my face away.

"Yes of course! I'm sorry. Please do go ahead."

She giggles again.

"Thank you very much. I appreciate it."

I started to wonder if I was listening to music. Maybe it was just her voice? I step aside more than willingly as she cascades over towards the front of my queue. I must have lost my mind.

"What do people call you young miss?"

Her sorcerous ball of a head rotates to face me with such passive vigour as I watch with bawling eyes.

"Pardon?"

"What's your name?"

"Raven."

Extend a hand.

"Oh nice. I'm worm, nice to meet you."

Bewilderment overwhelms her as she frowns with a grin, stunned for only three moments. With accelerando, she grabs my hand as her warmth courses through our handshake, and surges through my body, brashly barging out the moisture and salt from under my skin.

I'm at a loss for words.

I made the mistake that invited a lifetime of regret. I released the handshake. She turned around and laid her items on the counter. As if accursed from taking the initiative, her basket was cleared in a jiffy. Before I know it, there she was at the doorway. Taking a final look back at me over her glorious back.

"Well it was nice meeting you, worm."

No don't go no don't leave me no no no no no.

"We shall meet again next time. Goodbye."

Petrified, I can't even get myself to exchange goodbyes.

Swoop down on me, o soaring wonder, for I desire to be consumed by you.

New Year

It's a new year, it's a new beginning.

And with a new beginning, comes a new purpose.

A new purpose that brings about change.

Change that will reinvigorate.

Reinvigorate and refresh.

Refresh and renew.

And with renewing creates a different paintbrush.

A different paintbrush with a different canvas.

A canvas that nobody else reads.

Nobody else but loneliness.

Loneliness and me.



Loneliness and hope.