A gentle caress on my back Yet I sit alone A loving nudge of encouragement Yet I remain glued to my phone A warm consoling hug to remind me it’s ok Yet I doom scroll A releasing shoulder massage to help me relax Yet my posture wanes A kiss as a kind distraction Yet my eyes grow heavy and alert I’d have a friend to love me Yet here I sit alone
The crisp fall air turned cold and bitter as I rounded an unexpected path on a trail I’d hiked a dozen times. The trees seemed to arch in despair, their sparse dead leaves strewn about the forest floor, black and twitching in the wind as if to serve as a warning. The hairs on my back rose in response as my pace slowed and my icy breath thickened like visible spider webs crystallizing before me.
Suddenly a sound echoed from the distance. I felt relief as I heard laughter and childlike sounds of glee. “Oh thank god,” I said out loud, “…someone to help me make sense of this strange place.”
Hazy damp clouds surrounded me as I pushed through wet sticky branches. I stopped dead in my tracks as the voice became deeper and its laughter grew sinister. Terror filled my body like a rush of adrenaline when I realized it was calling my name. As I slowly cleared the last branch obstructing my view I saw the figure sitting there on an opened tomb in misty white fabric and glaring at me with its empty black eyes it said, “I’ve been waiting for you.”
The sheets are warm from a full night’s rest. The smooth gentle touch of your leg against mine speaks of the excitement of a new day with you. My eyes warily take in the sunshine from the window as the soft white pillowcase cushions my face, just a little longer. There’s no need to rush into the day because I have everything I need right here anyway.
