Writing Prompt

Time had never passed so slowly before the days we spent roaming. Together or not, minds brought to thoughts of hands, breath, heart rhythm, and home.

The breeze was soothing as if kissing our skin, and the night sky was calming almost as if God was setting the perfect stage. I hold you tight in my arms, the smell of your hair and your perfume fill my nose with exctasy. The only sound I hear is your breath as I lay my head on your shoulder. Even though you are wrapped in my arms I am surrouned by your warmth, being vulnerable with you made me feel secure. When I was with you time had never passed so slowly.

That day, that conversation, and the smell of alchohol will forever remain in my mind. You embody everything I despise and showed me a little bit of it all in one sitting. This is supposed to be a happy reunion of father and son where we sort our differences yet you insult everything I love, you disparage everything I cherish and you mock me for my lack of dreams. How could I possibly take this as the love of a father especially that final sentence, the one that you couldn't even bear to look me in the eye while saying. "How could your mom even love you especially since we look just alike and you're just like me." There were so many things I wanted to say, but for the first time we agreed on something and that is the part I hate the most. Time had never passed so slowly

Rain, despite it being the most important day, thrashed against the metal roof of the church. A day I thought would be only full of sunny rays, consumed by soggy ground and gloomy clouds.

The day went on and expectations were low, Then the sun shone and reminded us that the storms we face never last forever.

Moments later, I walked out, Veil softening my silhouette; dress shining with the sun, and there I saw the one to whom my heart belongs.

Smiles and laughter shared between us alone, as I step closer towards the future. Suddenly, the crowd around us blurred, and you were the only one I saw.

Hand-in-hand, we vowed forever to one another, Through any storm we may face together.

Despite the day going by so quickly, At that moment, Time had never passed so slowly.

— Sarah Rich

I was falling out of life, my breath flickered as her face blinked before me. Her cheek, soft as a blanket of tree tops beneath my finger tips. My hand slipped down her face, over that swollen mountain range. I dragged her wet trail of tears down to my chest. It was heaving, begging. A desperate, exhausted ‘love you’, escaped my lips, breaking through the sun-bleached desert plains. Her eyes closed and her lashes formed a fence to boulder her cries. My chest still snapped, like an elastic band pulled too tightly. The familiar aching lifted before my lungs caved in. Like a feather, my existence floated away from her. Time had never passed so slowly.

You left my nose running, Like a faucet that won't stop, Dripping endlessly, Leaving me in a state of discomfort, Searching for a tissue, To stop the flow of mucus, But you, my dear, are nowhere to be found.

Your absence is felt keenly, As I sniffle and sneeze, Attempting to clear my sinuses, But all in vain, For you are not here to offer comfort, Or fetch me some medicine, To ease my symptoms and soothe my sore throat, And some tissues for my runny noise.

I remember the times, When you would make me tea, With honey and lemon, And tuck me into bed, With a warm blanket and a soft kiss, Your presence a balm to my sickness, But now, all I have is the memory, Of your care and kindness.

I reach for the phone, Hoping to hear your voice, To feel a little less alone, But it remains silent, No text, no call, no text message, Just the sound of my own breathing, And the incessant drip, drip, drip, Of my nose running unchecked.

As I lay in bed, Feeling weak and achy, I long for your touch to alleviate my misery, To bring me warmth and solace, But you're nowhere to be seen.

I try to distract myself with a book or a movie, But my mind keeps coming back to you, And how you used to nurse me back to health, With your gentle touch and loving gaze, And now, I am left to fend for myself, As I drown in the sea of my tears, Missing you more than words can express.

I long for the day, When you will walk through that door, With a smile on your face and a comforting embrace, To chase away my illness, And bring back the warmth and joy, That only you can provide, But until then, I am left with a runny nose, And a heart heavy with longing.

So I sit here, with my nose running, Like a faucet that won't stop, Dripping endlessly, Leaving me in a state of discomfort, Searching for a tissue, To stop the flow of mucus, But you, my dear, are nowhere to be found.

She walked to the door, I knew this would be the last time, I wanted to take in every detail, Burn every inch of her into my mind, I never wanted to forget, As she left and I stared, As she moved on and I stayed behind, The seconds stretched just for me, Time had never passed so slowly

Gently, he rose from sleep turning—skin brushed against her skin, time had never passed so slowly.

I’ve had two of these. One today at karate and one yesterday at school

There’s a screech. A sound ringing in my ears, repeating over and over again my poor, misled fears, a voice that won’t stop breaking me down again.

They’re looking at me. I’m messing up. How am I supposed to keep up with them? They do their own things, and I’m breaking down. Stop showing weakness. Please stop. Please stop. They’ll think you’re weak. You are weak.

I can’t handle it anymore. I have to walk out of the door. They won’t try to find me. I’ll hide away, just while I try to calm down. When my face isn’t burning, When my hands aren’t shaking, When my breathing is controlled.

I want to cry out. Can somebody try and find me? I want someone to care. I can’t tell them all. But I need someone to know. Please. Help. Me. It hurts.

My face burns My heart races I can’t think straight I need to pace I need to sit down My hands shake My legs wobble I can’t see correctly My head hurts I can’t think straight.

I’m okay. I’m okay. I’m… okay. I’m okay, I promise.

…did I just break a promise…?

It hurts. They all look at me, like they know what happened. At karate, they looked understanding, most confused, though. But at school they treated it like I’m the rotten one of the bunch. Just because my heart beats quicker I need to pace but need to sit down my head hurts my eyes burn my face tingles and burns I can’t think straight I’m shaking. It hurts. Please, can someone help?

These attacks are now daily, but I don’t want to tell my parents. They don’t need to worry more than they already do.

Am I doing too much? I procrastinate a lot. I’m playing a long piece of music, working on writing a book, testing for karate, doing homework, is that too much? I’m so tired. I wake up sore and early, I don’t want to do anything. Math is hard. My teachers hate me. My grades need to be high. Nobody can know why I’m so stressed. I’m missing him as well. I need him to know.

I need my anxiety attacks to stop.

I’ve had six in the past two weeks.

Please stop.

How do I stop them without telling my parents?

I sat there for hours. I watched the sun bid her farewell to her beloved Earth, falling slowly under the horizon. The wind blew through the leaves, echoing a gentle kiss that softly caressed my cheek. I never knew the true forms of the world were so intricate. Everything became surreal, like a dream who whispered peace into my ear. Minutes passed by like years, the slowness of the day overwhelming me with passion. I took it all in, allowing it to etch itself into my lungs, breathe into my blood stream and surround my bones. Time had never passed by so slowly.