Never Stop
 

She had gorgeous, star-filled eyes

And adored long-winded love letters

Butterflies filled her constant daydreams

Where love was a thought she could savor

She’d never been touched by its fragile wings

Her heart was unbroken, unchipped

She’s never fallen head-over-heels

Her heart: a beat never skipped

 

He’d been broken uncountable times

Pain was his ever-present friend

His soul hid beneath a hardened shell

He’d become a master of playing pretend

 

Their meeting was accidental

Somewhat awkward, at best

He, in dirty jeans and greasy hair,

Ran into her neatly pressed sundress

A curse left her perfect lips

As her glass vase hit the concrete

A pale hand flew to her astonished face

As it shattered to bits about their feet

 

Apologies seeped from her every pore

‘Till finally his laughter cut her off

Somehow she ended up in his arms

As he tried to make the apologies stop

They separated awkwardly

Then he offered to walk her home

The sky was quickly growing dark

She didn’t mind not being alone

 

They window shopped along the way

He asked to replace the broken glass

She waved him off, which was good

He’d offered money he didn’t have

On that day, that first day of love

Their hearts melted along with the sun

They talked and laughed about everything

Neither knew they’d found their one

 

Days to weeks, weeks to months

Moments blurred into the following

Seasons changed from Spring’s new Life

To the sound of Winter’s wind blowing

 

His deep, easy laugh filled her dreams

And she loved the look his eyes held

In moments where nothing was said

His eyes proclaimed all the words he felt

She wished she could always live

Forever and ever, for the rest of her days

Inside the precious, passionate love

That he expressed within his gaze

 

Her bright eyes made his dark days shine

In his arms she felt safe and warm

Her smile became his silver lining

And his secrets called her heart ‘home’

 

Christmas lights lined the frozen streets

Snow blanketed the frostbitten ground

A fireplace warmed the two lovers

His whispered singing, the only sound

Her head pressed gently against his chest

From her mouth escaped a small sigh

He stilled his voice as she quietly said

‘If God took me now, I wouldn’t mind”

 

Silently, he stared at her

Melting her heart along with the snow

Then, pressing his lips to her trembling ones,

Was the most tender kiss either had known

 

After a while, he stood up to go

His arms releasing her beautiful form

As his truck gave a rumble, he smiled goodbye

And drove into the snowstorm

 

She lay in bed, he filled her mind

As she pulled her sheets up close

Sleep flirted with her dancing eyelids

Until then the phone rang and she awoke

 

Groggily, she put the phone to her ear

Then heard the words she’d never forget

“He’s been in a bad accident

It doesn’t look good, get here quick”

 

In a haze she walked into his room

There was talking, but the words were lost

As she looked at his broken body

O’re his head, bandages were crossed

 

She grasped his hand. He met her gaze

Scared tears slipped from her eyes

He leaned her cheek to his own,

And whispered, “Come on, Silly, don’t cry”

Then, to his jacket on the chair,

He motioned with his weakened hand

Quietly, she reached for it, gave it to him

Though she truly did not understand

 

From its pocket he revealed

A ring with a diamond on top

And Just before the loud, constant beep

He breathed, “My love for you will never stop”

 -Melissa Lynne Moody