The Clock Ticks

You were the key to everything.

I knew it the moment our eyes first met.

And yet fate played a cruel game,

Dangling you in front of me like a tantalizing treat,

So close I could whisper in your ear (and I did;

God, how could I resist?),

But never close enough to touch.

Your heart beat in time with mine

(I know it did, even though I could never

Lay my head upon your chest),

And your words mirrored my thoughts

Like clockwork (right on time).

I wanted to move the hour hand forward,

To make the wait less interminable,

But when I tried, I only got a

Splinter in my finger for my efforts.

Still, our minds worked in sync,

And time and time again,

Our eyes met in anguish,

And in love.

Nonetheless, you waited,

Biding your time, distracting yourself

With games and conversation,

Tending your gardens and your child,

And I took solace knowing why you did.

You could have had anyone,

But you chose me –

The one person you couldn’t have.

And so, my dearest friend –

And so, my silent heartbeat –

And so, my own reflection –

We wait.

Author's Note: I wrote this story as a contest entry for the Poppy's Prompts | #10 contest. I hope you enjoyed the read. I'd love to hear what you think, so please feel free to leave a comment, click the heart, and subscribe!