Poem Afterglow Novels & Stories

My breath catches. The glow begins to fade into the corner of the room, dissolving into tiny specks of soft light. Its last words reach me quietly. “Reward: peaceful life.”

The reflection catches in the glass, catches with the rain, with the rain, with the storm. I see my own eyes, and the intensity of the glow surprises me. The intensity of the glow terrifies me. The intensity of the glow is everything. It is. It is. I don’t look away. I watch. I see. I know. It is raw and painful and bright and unbearably human. I don’t look away. I don’t. I don’t.

The sounds of the party faded into a distant hum, until it felt like we were the only two people in the world. Late that night, the full moon spilled its silver light over us, a blessing from the Goddess herself. My new life had just begun.

I try to convince myself that I didn't know what he meant by that but it seems I know. And just like that, my lantern disappeared into the stars. The lanterns drifted higher, tiny flames trailing golden threads across the velvet sky. I lost sight of mine somewhere in the bloom of hundreds, but it didn’t matter. The moment was already carved into me like a scar I didn’t want to heal. Behind us, a hush settled over the garden, less reverent, more drowsy. The kind of hush that came after too much beauty, when the soul was too full to speak.

Dad was extra protective of me during that time. Things are better now. I can smile and laugh. Anger seems to be the last emotion back to the party. Nothing seems worth getting angry over. I can feel a tear slipping down my cheek and I sink down until my head is underwater. Just for a minute. I give myself a minute in my grief. I can’t live in it, but I can’t hide from it either. Coming up out of the water I hear my phone ting with the sound of a text coming through. I can ignore it, it’s probably not important. Not even going to look. I close my eyes again and wish the world away. Then another ting. Dang it, can I just enjoy my bath?! Grabbing my towel to dry my hands first, I scoop up the

'The Iridescent Stars; mmh… Typical of tonight. Nneoma read the poem, her voice smooth and steady. I gaze up the night sky What meet my gaze? Myriads of shinning stars They shine like iridescent diamonds Diamonds of sublime beauty They twinkle and shine, twinkle and shine. Giving light to all nocturnal creatures The brilliant stars tell me Tales of life yonder They tell me of great meadows With yew trees, yew trees with amber Fruits, of azure rivers ever flowing Of golden fishes ever swimming

With that we talked through the night . There are times that you would close your eyes, Those special memories of me will always bring back a smile, Calling my number repeatedly but with no response , If only you could have me back for just a little while you would say ,When I fade like the shadow of moon or like the whispers of the sea, The times of pain and the days of sorrow ,Miss me a little but not too long ,I want no cries, why cry for a soul gone to a better place, a home built with gold ,The time when living feels like dying ,Miss me but let me go , When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me , Miss me but let me go , For this journey is one we all must take , Bury

With that we talked through the night . There are times that you would close your eyes, Those special memories of me will always bring back a smile, Calling my number repeatedly but with no response , If only you could have me back for just a little while you would say ,When I fade like the shadow of moon or like the whispers of the sea, The times of pain and the days of sorrow ,Miss me a little but not too long ,I want no cries, why cry for a soul gone to a better place, a home built with gold ,The time when living feels like dying ,Miss me but let me go , When I come to the end of the road and the sun has set for me , Miss me but let me go , For this journey is one we all must take , Bury

He gave her his widest grin and pecked her lips this time around. "Hmm, lemme pour my own new poem for you. It's a lonely night Silently watching the heaven above that has no gap Quietly wishing it also has the small crack That is separating my heart from being one and whole The stars are getting acquainted to each other Helping the other twinkle And I wish they'd look down at me and flicker the dying Light in my soul and bring it back to life Still watching as the old dry palm branch shaped moon Slowly drifts down to the appointed term