Too Dark

Hello Light

Do you recall the subtleties of sight?

You don't, do you?

Well I thank you for blinding me anyhow

How dare I see in color?

See, there’s a film reeling constantly in my head

It’s thinning and speechless and gray

And what’s more, Light, my love, you’re its star

Laughing but emitting no sound

Yet, I seem to recall dialogue in this scene

Something about a red coat, I believe?

Oh, I’m nearly there, Light!

Can’t you recall our words?!

No, but what am I saying?

You can hardly speak today

Perhaps this scene stays silent then

At least for now?

Well, anyways

Speech always felt worthless in your arms

Frail hands so crooked in comfort

So welcome in warmth

Yes, but Nostalgia has hands too

And she places them clumsily over my eyes

I don’t recoil

Where’s the revelry in that?

No, there’s none

And I float...

Onward

Abound

No color

No sound

I halt and

Oh!

Look now,

It’s a vivid slideshow!

Our halcyon days in sepia,

Projected right there on Nostalgia’s palms!

If you could only see it, Light!

If you could only open your eyes!

Flashes of color

Waves of sound

I’ve never known them to intertwine so close

And then, I see it

A red coat

Yes, I remember it now

So large on your frail frame

We laugh at its sheer size

The sound rings in my ears

The image dances in my mind

I laugh

Thank you, Nostalgia

You may remove your palms now

Yes, now

I’ve found what I was looking for

If only for today, at least

You may visit me again tomorrow

Yes, I’m sure

Your persistence is admirable

But I beg you, leave me be

Thank you

I return to your ward, Light

And wonder what other film you harbor behind those eyes

I’ll not ask you to open them

I’ll not weep within mine

Instead I’ll look out the window

At the world outside

Like the ill-fitting coat

I’ll laugh at its sheer size

How small am I here?

Is my devastation unique?

What light must let go

To give in to grief?

I’ll look back at your face

A canvas of delight

What’s aging, anyway?

And I thank you, Light