going to rivers, I search for something to drink dust surrounding me.

I push by people who hold vases made of clay, who hope to provide.

into the water I lower my own clay vase; water rushes in.

people around me carry all that they can hold back to the village.

after a mile, I make it to my own home humble as is packed.

cracked and muddy homes still serve as a shelter now after many years.

holes that are in walls show me the patterns of life that we all live by.

grandma and grandpa, mom, dad, sisters and brothers aunts and uncles too.

they all await me, and my weary arms provide the water we need.

the sun is up high, though I left after it rose; much time had gone by.

now, what will be done? cooking, drinking, or cleaning? will it be enough?

simple and daily, this task will always repeat as long as I live.

As I looked into your eyes, I saw my future go up in flames. I knew, so suddenly, nothing would be the same. Life colored itself before my eyes, the canvas no longer plain, you are the one who ended my monotonous pain. I watch as the path I was going on burns up in an instant. You reached out your hand, called my name, insistent. You promised a better life, at the least, something different, I saw it in your eyes, in the burning glow, truth was written.

“Holy shit, mom?!”

Moon and Sun are friends. They always have been; they’ve been together since the beginning of the earth, and they used to hope to be like that until the end. Sun still does. Moon, on the other hand, has different plans.

Moon and Sun used to have another friend named Earth. They loved Earth dearly, and they were a trio. Sun had always been optimistic, kind and happy. Earth was creative and unique, always trying to come up with new things. Finally, there’s Moon. Moon never felt like she was enough for Sun and Earth. She felt like a burden, but stuck around anyway.

One day, Earth had come up with a new invention: the human. He based the human off of the sun: smart, kind, and happy. the human was molded from various parts of the Earth and atmosphere, making him unlike anything they had ever seen. The human was big like the sun too, strong and muscular. The human was supposed to entertain Sun, Moon and Earth. He was supposed to give them something to talk about.

The days dragged on, and the human was a huge hit! He would explore Earth’s surface, and use Earth’s materials in ways they never thought to use them for. They adored the Human. However, Earth wanted more.

Earth was curious as to what the Human would do if it had a team, so he made another human. This one was different from the first. She was modeled more after the moon this time. Earth took inspiration from Moon’s craters, and he gave the new human curves, unlike the other one.

The two humans were skeptical of each other at first, but soon, they became a team, just like Earth had wanted. Moon, Sun and Earth watched the humans as they explored and learned more things about the Earth. What they did not expect was for the humans to look inside themselves and learn about their abilities.

Eventually, the humans learned how to reproduce. It was a beautiful sight for Sun, Moon and Earth, and they loved watching more life being brought into the Universe. So, they let it continue. This also inspired Earth to make more humans with different materials so they would look different, and so he did.

The Earth was content with how the humans lived. They made his friends happy, and he adored them himself. However, over time, the humans began to take so much from Earth that he began to feel weak. Moon and Sun worried for the Earth, but they didn’t know what to do. They could only watch as their friend grew more and more sick.

Moon felt useless. She wanted to do something, no, she had to do something to help Earth. So, she moved in a little closer to Earth so that the humans would notice her. She felt stupid at first, because the humans didn’t seem to care. But one day, they talked about her.

Earth shakily reported to Sun and Moon that the humans wanted to explore Moon. Moon felt elated! Her plan worked! However, her friends did not share her excitement. They were filled with fear. Earth didn’t want Moon to feel the way he did, and Sun was scared that because of how much smaller Moon was than the Earth that the Moon would die. This did not weigh too heavily on Moon’s mind.

Eventually, the humans made their way to Moon. They dug a flag into her, and walked around on her surface. More and more humans poured onto her, and started to talk about sending humans to live there. Moon didn’t mind, but Sun was outraged.

Sun didn’t want to watch his friends get sick, so he started inching closer to the Earth too, hoping to attract humans. Moon did not want Sun to fall into the same trap. If one of the three could be healthy, she hoped, it would be enough. So she chased him away from Earth.

Sun, being smart, circled around Earth, still getting closer. So Moon kept chasing, slowing him down. Their chase still goes on to this day. It is known as the day and night cycle.

The sun was so bright That the moon could only hope to reflect its light, and the sun noticed that. The sun let itself die so that the moon may shine.

Somehow, my bare feet avoid being pricked by the splinters that reside in the planks beneath me. The dock creeks with every step I take, drawing nearer and nearer to it’s edge. It is has grown old with me; while I thrive, it withers away.

The water gently ripples beneath the wooden structure, softly lapping at the support beams. I pause, hoping to take a moment to admire the strength that the pillars holding the dock in place. But it is not as sturdy as it was in my youth.

The sinking sun drags the color from the sky down with it, leaving an ombré trail. A glowing orange melts into lukewarm pink, then into a cold purple, dusted with the sky’s snowflakes: stars. They don’t shine as bright as they used to.

I have finally reached the end of the dock, and I feel my body sit down without my mind commanding it to do so. It must be out of habit, even though I have not inhabited the lakeside abode for years now. I watch as the sun burrows itself further into the trees, leaving me alone.

This dock used to be full of life. Memories stain my mind’s walls in vibrant colors. I remember when I first learned to swim. It was in this very lake. I recall fearfully drawing closer to the water, floaters hugging both of my arms. When I was old enough to not cry at the sound of the crackling fireworks, my father let me come out of the house and watch them on the dock with him and few of his friends. The scene reeked of beer, but I didn’t mind it. I had my first kiss here too. I was wrapped the embrace of my closest friend when her lips pressed against mine. I remember how my heart was lit aflame. Baby steps, growing up, first love. All of that was here. Now, the dock is empty.

I feel tears streaming down my cheeks and my lip slightly shakes. Even though my memories are full of laughter and fun, they are gone. Like the sun, my childhood has faded away.

I hold your hand, it’s cold in mine. This is supposed to be fun, but you keep checking the time. I like to tell myself that it’s fine. You look at me, a fake smile curls on your lips and when you lean it, I brace myself for the kiss is love supposed to be like this? you pull back and release me and when i’m out of your arms, I feel so free but I’ll be trapped with you again, eventually.

Red strings, tangled in the air, soulmates are connected. But what do you do when your string tugs you away from who you rest with? I can see between the lines, What am I to do? Logically, I know too well, I am not fated to be with you. But how could I find another who knows me this well? How could I find another who makes my heart swell and my mind race with thoughts, each buzzing with electric energy? I know that everyone is tied by a string but are soulmates truly decided so easily? My heart bleeds much more red than any string of fate could ever contain, it beats for you, my love, so from following the string, I will refrain.

I stare down at the edge of the cliff, watching as tiny rocks tumble down. A shudder ran down from my shoulders and trickled down my spine and my palms began to become slippery with sweat. I clenched and unclenched my fist, staring off into drop.

I sit down on the edge, dangling my feet. My heart races, pounding in my chest. It slams against the ribs that hold it in place, begging to be released from its cage and to run away from the cliff. I remain still.

I’m surprised that I still fear for my life at a time like this. I haven’t felt this concerned for myself in months. I guess now that I know it’s going to happen, I can’t help but feel a little worried that it got this far without anyone noticing or caring. Not that it would matter if they did, at least it wouldn’t matter to me. I would have found myself here at some point or another anyway.

I stare down at the rushing river hundreds of feet bellow me, flowing and flushing down anything in its path. Maybe it will sweep my dead body too. My eyes close and my mind swells with a headache. Is this really the end?

In the distance, I hear a twig snap, and I quickly whirl around to see who or what is approaching. My eyes widened at the familiar sight of a girl, dressed in cargo shorts and a baggy shirt, surly one of my own. She had leaves twisted into her brown curly hair and her crystal blue eyes were red with tears.

She stopped as soon as she noticed that she had caught my attention, her chest heaving as she rapidly drew in breaths. As soon as she could speak, she uttered one word: “Hudson..”

She continued to suck in more air, now staggering towards me with her remaining energy. She knew it was quick enough; she knew her voice could paralyze me. How could I leave her alone in this world?

I stood up as she approached, facing her when she reached me. I looked into her face and saw that it was twisted into an expression of concern and fear. Without a word, she rushed into my arms and held me tight, as if I could be blown away by a mere gust of wind. I ran my fingers through her hair, attempting to soothe her without any words before she began to speak again.

“You would leave me?” As the words followed one another, each sunk into my heart like daggers. I tried to hold her closer to me even though I knew it was not possible. I struggle to find the right words, but begin to stammer anyway. “Annie, you don’t understand- no, of course you do but- but- not in the way you think you do- it’s not what you’re thinking-“ I could no longer speak. My throat swelled and tears pooled in my eyes, and my sister only stared at me, heartbroken.

I never wanted to think of my sister dying. She deserves life, after all. She is everything good in the world. But then, I thought, if she is everything good, then everything is bad to her. Maybe she truly is too good for this world.

I look down at the cliff and my thoughts swirl as I contemplate my next move. Should I just run for it? No, she would surly follow, watching as I crashed against the rocks before dying herself. Even if she didn’t follow, she would have to live without her one true friend on this Earth. But if I didn’t jump, I would have to live on in my misery.

I pushed out every logical thought screaming at me to stop. I grab my sister’s hand and pull her towards the cliff edge with me. She nods slowly in my direction. Then we jump.

A love, so stunning new, As captivating, as true, As frightening too. Enticing as it can be, Past the surface, can you see?