Tell Me a Story | ✓

The Hill

Harvey - 2012

"Hurry up old man,"

My daughter sang,

Skipping,

Twirling,

Running about

As my heavy feet

Ached with every step

I took as I

Trailed after her.

"You're too fast,"

I groaned,

Though the sound

Was chorused by

Her giggles that rang

In the air

Like the chiming bells

Back in the

Main Square.

She waits for me

Ever-so patiently

At the top of the hill,

And I feign strength

Although I know

She can see

Right through me.

"Dad?"

My daughter sighs,

Grasping my hand with her

Feather-like touch,

Then supporting me

As I stumble towards

The top.

We're here.

"Yes?"

I answer,

Though I know her

Following words -

We've rehearsed them

Since her mother

Got worse.

"Tell me the story

Of the hill,"

She recites,

And I squeeze her hand -

A small whisper

In my grand grasp.

"This hill,"

I begin,

And her eyes -

Her mother's eyes -

Spark with

Undeniable love

And sorrow.

"This hill,"

I try again,

My voice stronger and

My memory longer,

"Was where I met-"

"-The most beautiful

Woman in

The world,"

My daughter finishes,

but I hardly hear her.

I was already

Gone.

Harvey - 1987

She was dressed

In a dangerous shade

Of pink.

"Excuse me,"

I said

At the same time as

I realized it was her

That I was

Talking to -

Her that was staring at

Me.

"Yes,"

she answered,

Although it wasn't

Of acknowledgment;

It was of

Acceptance.

She knows,

My mind whispered,

Though I wasn't estranged

By the fact,

But rather flattered.

"Then let's go,"

I smiled,

And she took my

Hand as easily

As taking one's keys

Off the kitchen

Counter;

As easily as

Something we've done

Only infinite times

Before.

We ran.

We ran for what

Felt like forever,

But what must've

Only been minutes.

We were out of shape,

Out of breath,

And when we stopped

We looked at each other

With wild eyes

And wicked smiles,

Because we both knew

That this wouldn't be

A one-time thing.

"What's your name?"

I asked her,

But she didn't reply,

But rather looked away

Ominously.

She was

Absolutely

The most beautiful woman

In the world.