Fragmented

You tantalize me

With the promise of something that I cannot have.

Inspiring me to find those hidden embers

So vulnerable, unprotected,

That guard your enlivened spirit.

Disguised in all its fiery wilderness

As a beacon, to light my way.

And as I watched the flowing fingers of the wind

lift your wild auburn curls.

One spiraling tendril is left to caress your cheek.

Reminding me of what I cannot have,

Of what I dare not lose.

That vivacious smile, those engaging eyes,

Your friendship, forever more.

"Aren't you a little too old to keep love poems in your shoebox?" Fran's raucous scream flooded every eardrum within a kilometer. That girl didn't know how to turn the volume down. I loved my sister as only a big brother could, but I was quite happy she was all Frank's problem now. His slight hearing impairment made them the perfect couple.

Love poems...?

I ambled down the hallway to the bedroom. "I don't think you were loud enough sis. I'm sure Mrs Turner, down the road, missed it." The size 8 slipper came flying at me. "Hey, lucky I have quick refle-." The next one hit me square in the chest "You scamp. Just for that, I'm going to keep these. I'm sure with a little stretching they'll fit me perfectly." Considering I'm a size 11, torture was more like it.

Fran's head popped out of the walk-in wardrobe. "Not on your life, Frank just gave them to me for my birthday."

"Well I'll have to thank him."

"If you don't give them back, I'll keep this love poem..." Fran came towards me waving the piece of paper in my face.

"What are you spouting on about. What lo-"

"As I watched the flowing fingers of the wind, lift your wild auburn curls..." Too busy reading, she didn't realize the pain she was inflicting.

"One spiraling tendril is left to caress your cheek...."

I froze...My mind sent out a search party to rescue me.

I had forgotten I'd kept that. It must have been about eight years ago when I wrote it.

Year 11 had been the best and the worst year of my life. That was when I first saw her, Tory Chancellor. The new girl at high school. She was the most self-confident, outspoken, free spirited creature that walked the earth. And I loved her. It was that simple.

Her long solid legs vaulted up the basketball court, stealing the ball from the opposition at every chance. The three pointers soon gaining her popularity. She even stole the lead in the drama play, bringing the house down with her amazing performance. I cheered her on, prepared to face the good and the bad, by her side.

I didn't need to talk to her or hold her hand to feel like my heart would break in two if I never saw her again.

"Friends looked out for each other" she'd say. I'd cringe. But I would take whatever she was willing to give.