Footprints in the Snow

Footprints in the Snow (12)

Footprints in the Snow (12)

“Richard”

I could not see

Richard

through the

blowing snow

Again

I yelled 

his name

but 

my voice was

lost in the sound

of the wind

suddenly

as quickly 

as it started

the snow

and

the wind 

stopped

I was standing

alone

on the road

where I had first seen

Footprints in the Snow

“Richard”

I said aloud

There were no

Footprints in the Snow

There was no

single set

going up the

embankment

to the trees above

I felt myself shaking

I took a package

of cigarettes

from my pocket

and lit one

drawing heavily

exhaling through my nose

“Richard”

I said aloud again

I was still shaking

Had it all been a dream?

Had there even been

Footprints in the Snow

Had they led

up the embankment 

to the trees

and

beyond

where I had found

Richard?

I drew heavily on my cigarette

exhaling through my nose

There were no

Footprints in the Snow

It had been a dream

I tossed the cigarette

into the snow

watching as it disappeared

along with 

my dreams

“Richard”

I whispered

Tears filled my eyes

I had not cried

since that day

Since that day

he said goodbye to

me

The day

he promised

he would be back

The day

he lied

I looked up the embankment

There was no 

Richard

It had all been a 

dream

It started to snow

I lit another cigarette

drawing heavily

exhaling through my nose into the snowy air

Slowly I walked away from the 

embankment

from my dream

from Richard

Back to reality

November 7, 2014