A Wish For Us

by Tillie Cole

Cromwell Dean was in so much pain that it took away his joy to play music that he’d once loved. Pain that caused him to shed tears.

Her voice was violet blue. I closed my eyes. It was my favorite color to hear.

But that tether inside of me that kept everyone away pulled tight, straining on my throat to keep it the hell shut. It was on the tightest leash whenever I was around Bonnie.

I wanted to climb out of my skin, just be someone else for a while.

I was sick of being me.

Some are not meant for this life for too long. A fleeting glimpse, a silent birdsong. Souls too pure, they burn out too bright, Bodies so fragile, losing the fight. Hearts lose their beats, rhythms too slow, Angels they come, it’s time to go. Lift from this place, to the heavens and skies, Smothered in peace, where nobody dies. Hope left behind in the ones they have loved, No longer caged, now wings of a dove. Wings, white as snow, sprout from my heart. Wings, spreading wide, now to depart. Tears in my eyes, I give one last glance. I lived, and I loved, and danced life’s sweet dance

As always, it beat to its own drum, one of tiredness and exhaustion. One of trying to hold on when all it wanted to do was let go.

When the threat of death hung over you, you realized that your true dreams weren’t so grand. And they all came down to one thing—love. Material possessions and idealistic goals faded away like a dying star. Love was what remained. Life’s purpose was to love.

He was my violet blue. My favorite-ever note.