Growing Up

It was lucky for me that the rain disguised my tears, so it didn't look like I was crying this time. That November morning was cold, forming frost on the late autumn leaves, as the rain plastered the shirt to my back. Tears fall because it does look bleak right now, at this point in time. For I know that I will never get you back. Even the sky senses your absence as the rain falls onto the ground, silent and cold, finally residing in droplets on the leaves. I begin to remember...how you built snowmen in the cold and loved to jump in the piles of leaves. I remember how your face contained that confused look when you couldn't figure out the way back. I remember how you danced in the rain laughing with pure joy the entire time. But I am suddenly torn back into reality, with the frozen leaves and silent rain. Your kidnapper is here; it never leaves. I don't want to acknowledge it - I don't want to look. But it never waits, never, do you, Time? Furious at the enemy, my blood turns cold. I turn around to face Time and glare at its empty eyes, black and cold. Fire of truth lies within, unquenchable even by rain. Just as quickly as it blazes, the fire leaves. Then I realize that, almost mockingly, Time is staring back; giving me a triumphant look... We both know. This battle always comes and never leaves. I never could have stood a chance back there, alone, in the cold, against an undefeated warrior: Time. I don't want to embrace the truth - but look! Perhaps they are my tears...but there is rain. The cold leaves me alone in the rain as I look back into my own memories. Because you are me, and I am you...both victims of Time.