this life held within

It is that part of the night, that slice of time when the day has not yet committed itself, and the darkness still burrows deep into the corners of my senses. There is no time so exquisite, so fragile, teetering on the edge of dawn while the moon backs slowly away.

Lovers lie curled within each others' dreams, the wind has put itself away, the owls hunt is over, and this time I hold for me. Emotions crowd, like the tide coming in, gentle waves at first that swell and overflow with feelings that I will not hide. Love comes unfettered and unbridled with Mona Lisa smiles, and love-laden eyes, and I wonder what he is thinking while I am thinking of him. And this time given too, to sorrows carefully unfolded, cradled and healed, kissed and forgiven. Memories relived, resolutions forged, and these, my words, to paper in this precious quiet that never lasts for long enough.

If I could hold it here, imprisoned by my will, would it feel so vital or would I, by that will to preserve, then only destroy? Perhaps these words, in these last fleeting moments before the day rends me from my private thoughts, perhaps these are the means by which I hold myself complete.

Until again, that tiny slip of time, when I become alive and know that someday.............