summer nights

Millions of silver stars dotted the sky that chilly summer night as I sat cuddled up with my periwinkle-blue blanket on the brass swing, looking out at the neighborhood dollhouses, the soft lights within them, blowing out like candles on a cake. An engine burred faintly in the distance, teenagers drinking and driving their way into oblivion, their crazy laughs echoing in the night. A sudden wave of sadness washed over me then, a lone tear slipping past my cheek, leaving behind a salty trail. A home in the suburbs, a beautiful garden, a nice car. I had it all, apparently. But what use is all that, when you have no one to share it with? I always thought I'd be able to survive on my own, away from prying eyes, at peace in my own little world. Little did I know how lonely life gets when you have nobody to go back home to, nobody to confide in, nobody to lean on when the going gets tough.

I let out a long sigh and look down at my hands. The skin is cracking and I almost start to pick at it, before I force myself to get up and get some lotion from the fridge so I can massage it into the cracks and smooth them over. As soon as the creamy liquid hits my palm though, I shiver from head to toe. It's as cold as ice but once I start to rub it in, body heat comes through.

Looking back up at the shaded sky, through strands of sandy hair, it's a beautiful sight. The moon is back and brighter than ever, illuminating the world with its heavenly light. I almost feel it looking at me, softly. As if it too, understands what's it's like to be alone.

You and me, we're like two peas in a pod, aren't we, mister?