Fate's Joke

You know, sometimes destiny has a cruel sense of humor. Enough to make me want to just hide in a hole all day. This really wasn’t funny. I squeezed my eyes shut tight and then blinked them open again, slowly glancing at the brown haired boy and sweet redheaded girl across the street. Sure enough, it was still there. That diabolical thread connecting her heart to his, but his heart to someone else. Bright red and quivering, it strung from her to him, then onward. Why? Why couldn’t they just be with each other? I leaned forward and banged my head against the dashboard of our car.

“Are you okay, Natalie?” My mom asked, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel.

“Yeah, I’m good, Mom. I’m good.” I mumbled, glancing down at the thread in my heart that was slowly stretching as the car rumbled forward. I still hadn’t found anyone that connected with my heart. Clearly, there was someone. Not so clearly, I had no idea who he was. But that poor girl... Why was she connected to someone that could never be with her? What if that happened to me? I risked another glance at the couple on the sidewalk and felt nauseous. Couldn’t we decide our own futures? Our own spouses?

“Nat, are you sure you’re okay? You’re sighing a lot again.” My mom glanced over at me, raising an eyebrow.

Whoops.
“Yeah, mom, I’m fine. Just... Contemplating... Life...” My chest felt heavy and I turned my head from the window. I couldn’t shake the blissful look of the red headed woman out of my head. The blissful look that wouldn’t always be there. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the chair. I didn’t want to see any more of fate’s cruel jokes today.

~E.K.M.

True Love

True Love

A strong, weathered man sits inside a bright waiting room

His hands clasped tight, his eyes haunted with gloom.

He rocks back and forth, his head in his hands

Brow furrowed, all thoughts of why he bans

“Mr. Hartford,” A sympathetic voice calls

“We’ve done all that we can,

She’s lasted longer than we ever planned

It won’t be long sir, please come to the door

You might like to see her just once more.”

You can see the hope leaving his eyes

As quickly, stiffly, he follows her there

He sits down beside her, strokes her sweet cheek,

Her hand in his, he feels so, so weak.

He watches as she slowly drifts off to sleep

Her pulse assured by the constant, steady beep

As he stares at her aged, priceless face,

For the first time, tears begin to trace

“Dear God,” He prays, and clutches her hand tight

“I’ve loved her truly, with all of my might.

I’ve treasured every moment that we’ve had alone

I’ve blessed every time that I could call her my own

I’ve lived a good life, I’ve tried my best

She’s been at my side, always my sweet rest.

Sir, she’s my everything. My any and all.

Please, without her, I am nothing at all.”

He buries his face, puts his head in his hands

And in that moment, he begins to understand.

Maybe, just maybe it’s not about him

Maybe, on this heartless, horrible night

Through thinking of her, he could find some light.

After all, it was she that was feeling the pain.

Yes, it would be hard, but he would see her again

To keep her with him, here, in pain curled

Would be selfish, and thinking only of his own little world

As he brings his head out of his own embrace

His eyes look with a new light on her face

He won’t keep her here, out of selfish desires

She deserves so much more, and he won’t keep her tired.

Now, he clasps his hands and starts a new prayer

One, that is different, with a new air

“Dear, God,” he begins “I understand now.

I’m sorry that I couldn’t see past my own, how.

Please, forgive me, and give me strength

I’m going to need it for these next few days.

But dear God please. Will you keep her safe?

I’m giving you everything, my heart in my hands

I trust that you’ll take it to loving, kind lands.

Please God, don’t let this be in vain.

If you must, you can take away my everything.”

And so, for the last time, he watches his wife

She breathes in and out with small life

He kisses her gently, and whispers,

“I love you.”

It is my hope that at the beginning, you were thinking something like, 

"Dude, no, this is going to be soooo cheesy. Nooo." 

And then it was completely different from what you thought.  

If so, then I can say Mission Accomplished. :)

~E.K.M.