Starlit Skies Filled with Solemn Sighs (2012)

​Original Story

February 27, 2016
​*Originally written May, 2012*

One summer night at her place, before it all went to Hell, we had gotten two bottles of Arbor Mist wine.  Essentially large wine coolers.  We were 20 and thought we were cool.  Here's your laugh.

The humidity was not as bad that night as it had been throughout the summer and we set up a blanket on her deck with a tray of snacks and our bottles of wine, one per.  We didn't need any glasses.  We simply sat there and stared out at the sky as a sly breeze would find its way to our faces.  Her deck was recently finished and led down to the pool.  We didn't stray too far that night.

We talked about the stars and our philosophical thoughts about them, as that was one of our first deep conversations we had had months prior and a favorite topic of ours anyway.  We talked about movies and politics (she led that charge) and the world (also led by her).  I was content just sitting there beside her, staring at the Moon.

"Do you see that?" I interrupted her from below.  I had wandered to the bottom level, jumped up and did a pull-up on the deck.
"Get up here!" she said.
I let go, walked up, and plopped next to her.  I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and she laid her head on my shoulder.  I pointed directly in front of us.
"Do you see that?"
She saw the faint star by the Southeast corner of the moon.  "Yeah.  And?"
"That's ours from here on out."
​We shared a kiss.

The night and the stars were our one safe place.  This piece is about that.

Without further adieu:

Starlit Skies Filled with Solemn Sighs

I drive at night
To feel closer to you.
I stare at our star;
To the bottom right of the Moon.
Can you hear me call your name?
Can you hear me call your name?
That’s what that star was meant for;
To gaze upon it whenever
We felt alone
And needed one another.

Remember the way
The breeze felt on your deck?
The wine dancing down our throats;
We spoke liquid truths.
….
No sleep and 55 miles an hour,
We would drive until static became clear;
Where being content was simply
An understatement.

Your hair blew in the wind.
Your blue-green eyes
Stared out at the endless, confusing sky.
Shivering, we both knew not what,
What to expect next.

I drive at night
To feel closer to you.
I stare at our star;
To the bottom right of the Moon.
Can you hear me call your name?
Can you hear me call your name?
That’s what that star was meant for;
To gaze upon it whenever
We felt alone
And needed one another.

​-end-

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