Delightful Drought

Before she left for college, 

we played stripped Twister 

on sweaty summer nights

that set the forest ablaze.

I tucked her dark bangs,

kissed her olive neck.

She squirmed when I tickled her.

I'd call her name and throw 

a pillow at her head.

Her eyes sought to bury me alive—

then she'd smile.

She batted her lashes

and told me she'd attend NYU.

"Leaving" spilled through the speakers.

A breeze pulled her ponytail,

pine drifted from evergreens.

I had no choice

but to hate her decision,

stretching a smile,

fingers crossed.

A delightful drought 

watered my soul 

from an oasis spring.

Nourished enough, I embraced

her return from New York—

no more time apart.

With the power out, our chemistry

was fire in the creeping fall.

Our degrees were worth less 

than the piece

of paper we signed 

to make this official.

By Andy Cooper

From: United States

Website: https://writeovercoffee.blog/

X: AC0040