The Vision

The Vision

Posted by Suresh Nageswaran on Sunday March 25, @07:21AM

I feel engulfed by the desire that erupts into every pore of me. I feel crushed by its intensity...

It’s like a bucket of cold water splashed all over me. That sudden flash of brilliant thought that comes from nowhere and jolts me from within. I savor the moment and let my face break into a smile. My vanity exults over my little cerebral victory and that broadens the smile even more. It’s been quite a while since I last felt this way.

The tsunami in me has an external cause. A beautiful cause, one wrapped in sweet pain, one I would gladly accept. I stop in the middle of the street. Passers-by weave left and right, as life throbs in their activity. My chest heaves with an audible exhalation. My eyes follow the beautiful apparition in front of them. Her long tresses flow down like a wild waterfall to her waist. She lingers for a brief moment in front of a storefront and then strides down, her attentions briefly entertaining the words of her friend. The twosome smile and look away. I stand rooted, my sight, her prisoner.

Her eyes are strikingly lovely and flap like a butterfly’s wings. Her lips, full and rich with youth and promise. She walks gracefully, gently like a breeze through grassland. I feel engulfed by the desire that erupts into every pore of me. I feel crushed by its intensity. And then the realization strikes me, like light pouring into a dark room. You aren’t even there and yet I feel your overwhelming presence. If I shut my eyes, I feel I could reach out and touch you. Caress your arms and kiss the nape of your neck gently. The way you would melt into my arms. My eyes perceive a stranger, but I know it really is you. I would know you anywhere.

An aching void now exists where you once were. And I know nothing can ever make it right again. Long agonizing nights and tiring workdays wont make it go away. I loved you as only I could. A terrible silence and a stoic fa’ade barricade it now. Even my anger betrayed me and subsided. I remember curling up defensively as hot tears flowed freely and my body wracking into painful sobs. Time threw a cobweb on those memories and yet, today, they broke free again.

As she melts into the crowd, my smile becomes sad and wistful. I turn and walk away slowly. Few know what it means to love and I was one very lucky man. That alone should suffice, I tell myself.

In my eyes, you will never age a single day. And in my ears, your sweet laughter still echoes, as it will do, every single day.