Haphazard Encounters: A Short Story Cycle (Chapter 1: Wilson)

I met this man in a wheelchair today. He asked my name. I said "Lydia," politely. He looked up and over his battered glasses at me, his eyes bore into my soul. He replied "Lydia, eh? You look more like a Michelle to me." I took offense. I didn't show it. Just peered into the green-grey cesspools that were his eyes and stood limply, praying the bus would come trampling around the corner in the next few seconds. When it didnt, the man rolled closer and i averted my gaze, suddenly aware of my throbbing uncomfortability. The man calmly offered his grubby hand, "Well, Lydia-Michelle, my name's Wilson. Pleased to meet your acquaintance...i, i mean make your acquaintance, young lady." My eyes lingered at his hands for a few seconds, calculating the potential health risks involved with even grazing his filthy digits, then my compassionate right hand extended itself to meet his and shook heartily. Funny, i thought, that's how i lot of things worked in my life; sympathy overpowering rationale. Wilson grinned toothlessly and released our grip. My rationale looked at my right hand, then at my sympathy and shook its head, sinking back into the depths of me. Right then I knew that this wouldnt just be a one time disease-exchanging encounter with Wilson. "Oh no," my sympathy said, "you just wait and see. Wilson will be as kind as can be." My rationale stared at me, raging at my sympathy's Seussical manner about the matter. It jerked my body away from the man, sending my feet stumbling haphazardly over the horrendous gashes that consumed our city's sidewalks and crashing into the pay phone pole, almost severing what was left of the phone line it was already holding onto for dear life. After I'd recovered from the collision and composed my myself, I turned around to see the bus stop deserted. My rationale sighed, comforted by the absence of Wilson's grim frame. My sympathy was saddened, but she giggled, knowing wholeheartedly she'd get her chance at redemption soon enough.

Then & Now

then...
the world was beautiful
the birds sang in the dew-stained trees of the forenoon
the wind whispered the sweet melodies of the most brazenly romantic tunes
the sun illuminated the gorgeously azure sky as it limply hung from the brink of dusk

now...
the world is hideous
the bats shriek from within their morose dwellings
the smoking embers of an expiring day linger in the haze of a pitch black twilight
the moon is gleaming repugnantly, revealing the genuine disposition of the world's intentions

then you were in
now you fallen out

then you were sanguine
now you are forlorn

then you ceaselessly fought
now you hastily forfeit

then was Unbreakable; Nothing Even Mattered
now there's Nothing Left To Say

in the end I Will Always Love You

A Sense of Rest

As my days dwindle,
And I hear calling from above,
I can’t think a better thought,
Than of my sweet, true love.


Though my tired eyes may fail me,
I can still see his gentle visage,
As clearly as the day we,
First met eyes – it seemed a mirage.

Though my ears couldn’t hear a tree fall,
Never will the sound of his sweet nothings in my ear fade,
If his engaging serenades I could not hear,
I would care nothing for the anthems of angels.

Though my tongue could not detect the bitterness of a lemon,
Eternally shall the taste of his saccharine lips stay with mine,
If it ever shall grow faint,
Never shall my tongue crave another morsel.

Though my nose can no longer savor the scent of fresh baked cookies,
Forever is how long his masculine fragrance will tickle my nostrils,
If his comforting aroma I could no longer inhale,'
Every other odor shall reek upon my whiffer.

Though my hands could not feel the stabbing prick of the sharpest of cacti needles,
Everlasting is his affectionate and securing touch upon my skin,
If his unmistakable caress should never graze my body again,
Any other stroke would feel like an invasion upon my being.


Now, dwindling so far gone,
My soul begins to soar,
And just when all my remembrances left me,
I am in his arms – this time forevermore.



--wrote this my second semester of 12th grade--