Spotify on, in the background really low,
Chris Stapleton singing Millionaire.
It makes me wish for your arms
Although we never danced much.
Softly swaying across the wood floor,
I imagine my hands clasped behind your neck,
Your hands resting on my hips,
Moving slow, being held close by you.
My minds eye feels your gentle lips
pressed on me, tender on my skin,
I start missing you once more.
As the song comes to its end, I wish,
Your hand could take mine. Lead me.
Jon and Mikaela walked out of the lift on Deck Three. She smiled when they walked out into the atrium, but then sighed and looked at Jon. “It isn’t anything like home, is it Jon?”
He looked ahead and shook his head, “It’s definitely something different.” He chuckled to himself. “But different can be good, I guess.”
“Well, hopefully you like different food. We definitely have some unique meals here on the station.” She guided him over to a glistening silver and white box with a touchscreen. The screen flashed an assortment of foods that seem like they did back on Earth.
Nothing seemed too out of the ordinary. “Everything looks great! Either that, or I’m starving.”
Mikaela glanced over, “You’re starving,” and grinned crookedly.
Jon chuckled and picked out his choice. A ticket printed. Mikaela then made her selection and pulled the table tent number. “Still a little service around here. They will bring it to us.” She walked over to a table which faced out to the lunar surface.
Jon followed her and took a seat. “Do you get used to the lower gravity?”
Mikaela smiled, “Oh, sure. But going home is always interesting. Especially the longer you stay. I always get home and am over five foot six, but it rapidly disappears.”
Jon smiled as they exchanged conversations and glances. He noticed her hair had streaks of gray coming in and small laugh lines around her eyes.
“You’ll probably be six four or more when you get back,” Mikaela observed then chuckled.
Jon and Mikaela continued exchanging a few stories, then the lights in the atrium dimmed. Mikaela looks up with a sad look. “We’ll, that’s our cue. Time to head out for sleep.”
Jon looked at his watch and nodded his head. “I’ll walk you back?”
They made their way to the lift and she pressed the same floor as Jon’s. “Our quarters are all together.”
Jon’s knuckles lightly brushed against her hand as the lift came to a stop. Mikaela grinned, but then swiftly stepped off the lift. “I’m right down there,” pointing down the hall in the opposite direction. “Good night, Jon.”
Jon watched her as she turned and entered her room. He raised his hand, waved goodnight and headed for his own.
Hey! I heard a ruma….
Yeah, I heard she’s tall…
Do you get my gist?
Heard she has a beau,
Yeah, yeah, his name is Arthur.
It is!
I hear they have an amazing auto.
Yes, it’s gorgeous and immune to dings.
No way! ‘Dis is phenomenal!
Calm down, put yourself in order!
Ha! Laugh all you want,
it could get pretty serious.
Ah, give it a few months…
We’ll see what happens then!
Heart beating hard against my cage,
Headache throbbing and settling in.
Nerves on edge, uncertainty surrounds,
Three months to wait, maybe it’s not…
Not that critical, perhaps calm is in order?
Still, my mind spirals, what if there’s…
There’s nothing that can be done…
Maybe waiting to see if there is improvement
All on its own. Whatever ‘IT’ is.
No wonder sleep isn’t easy, but I hope…
It’s nothing to worry over, just keep going.
No time to stop anyhow, whatever ‘IT’ is.
Cotton clouds blanket the blue sky;
A lone palm stands against the chill,
A shiver runs down my spine
As I fill my lungs with frigid air.
Where is the warmth of Florida
Our beautiful sunny afternoons?
I enjoy the break for it will be fleeting.
Soon shorts can be donned once more.
Tossing and turning, over and over.
Sleep did not come easy last night.
No nightmares or scary dreams,
Unless you count a mismatched outfit
While talking to execs on the elevator…
Just a silly dream, I know.
But sleep was scattered and uneven,
Like there is just something not right.
No thousands of voices screaming,
Not set adrift at sea, just not settled.
Just something amiss, something not right.
So, how did you sleep?
It hung from her mirrored closet doors. She sat on the bed, blowing on her just painted nails as she looked it over. It was one of the most expensive dresses she had ever owned. The white crepe floated gracefully from the hanger; the light fabric lined with supple satin. The short-sleeved beauty was finished with a round neck bejeweled with gold adornments.
She fixed her dark hair and makeup, then unzipped the dress and slid it over her head, careful not to get any foundation on the neck. The dress hit her just at the knee, modest but showed off her legs. She stuck her head out of her room to the hall where her mom paced.
Her mom had a small tear in her eye as her daughter opened the door. She motioned for her to turn around and zipped her up. She turned around again, and her mother smiled and called out, “She’s ready.” Her father rounded the corner, beaming with pride. His daughter was all grown up and ready for the next steps in her life.
The house was abuzz with her grandmother, an aunt, uncle and cousin, and her eldest sister, too. They oohed and ahh-ed at her as she stepped out. She blushed from all the attention. Father looked at his watch, “Time to go.”
She took a deep breath as she slid her feet into her white heeled shoes. Today would be filled with so much emotion, mostly happiness. Her gown hung in the family car as she slid in the back. The family had to take three cars to the ceremony, so they piled in and headed toward the venue.
As they arrived, what seemed like thousands of people milled around. Her father helped her into her gown and her mother placed her stole around her neck. It was the day she’d say goodbye to this phase in her life. It was the day she’d say hello to the future. It was the day she’d cry, not wanting to ever say goodbye. It was the day she’d celebrate.
Graduation day.
Her eyes red, tired, and itchy.
Too many hours between screens today.
Eating bites of pizza between the work.
Finally, the call comes to an end,
Summaries sent out, the rest can wait.
Buzz, buzz, buzz. There’s no escape.
More things to do, responses, follow up.
Finally, she shuts her laptop,
checking out from work for a bit.
She dims the lights, rubs her eyes,
And curls up under a blanket.
A few minutes of relaxation and laughs;
Soon rest will come, if the phone doesn’t ring.
Twinkle, twinkle in the night sky,
Blinking from lightning bugs or fire flies.
They pop up as the sky turns dark,
Guiding us on our stroll in the park.
One lands on your nose and makes me smile,
You take my hand and we dance for a while.
The music is all deep in our heads,
But it’s what’s in our hearts that matters instead.
Sweet little blue eyes look my way.
Snuggling in tight,
he can’t resist my thigh.
Moving in close, my leg gets hot.
He looks up and sighs,
Then lays his head on his paw.
Finally finding his spot, he nuzzles a moment,
Then a soft purr, and finally he sleeps.
Dawn Renee Writes 