When the morning light catches my waking eyes,
I pray to see you beside me, basking in the warmth of a new day.
We met under the guise of night,
Insecurities hidden by a culture of drinking.
Now you lay unmasked by dawn’s glow.
I cannot help but worry of how you’ll see me.
I hope you don’t avoid looking at me.
I hope you remember my name, or at least ask if you don’t.
I hope you’ll kiss me, and make no effort to leave.
I want you to hold onto this moment, as I do.
That doesn’t happen.
You open your eyes only to shut them again.
Your head subtly turns in a regretful way.
I reach for you, but already, you are searching for your clothes.
“Hey, um…” You attempt to continue without asking.
Trying to ignore your embarrassment.
I say my name.
“Right, right. I’m gonna go. It was fun.” A false smile is quickly given.
Mostly clothed, with the remainder bundled under one arm,
You head for the door.
I suggest breakfast. You say no.
I try to walk you out, but you tell me you remember the way.
There is nothing I can do to keep this from becoming a one night stand.
You leave, becoming a memory that wishes to be forgotten.
I try not to think of you,
Of how we met under a cascade of sound and light.
Your real smile shone through it all,
Framing eyes filled with a familiar longing.
Confident hands found mine in a storm of fellow hearted ambitions.
Senses heightened by your choice of me as we embrace.
Why couldn’t that have lasted for you as it had for me?
So I bury that growing ache under the idea that next week, I’ll try again.
Next week, I may find the one that will stay with me under the morning light.
Alexander J Hernandez 