To The Ground
6 roses in her hand.
6 roses that cannot stand.
1 rose falls to the ground.
The single rose, weeps without sound.
I had fun. I actually had a lot of fun. I spent time with someone and had a real conversation. The sad part is that Syd had thought I was a mute. And yes, I did say Syd. We were friends. We told jokes. We learned stuff about each other. And I was happy. For that one moment in my life I was having fun and was happy.
I thought about everything Syd and I had talked about as I walked to my old home. It wasn't a real home anymore though. They had demolished it years ago. They were building some kind of new store. When I reached my old neighborhood, I recognized most of the houses that my old friends used to live in. When I had friends. But I do have a friend now.
I reached the flat piece of land that had a few tools and equipment the workers were using. They had the bottom part of the foundation finished and they were still working now. I quickly laid the rose down so no one would notice, but it was futile. I was not fast enough. The worker called to me, yelling, asking what I thought I was doing. That this was private property. He began making his way towards me but I ran. I was halfway down the street when I turned and saw him pick up the rose, examine it, throw it back down, and step on it. I felt sadness for the rose. It did not deserve it's fate. But, of course, neither did I.
I returned to the house after a few silent tears had escaped and stained the concrete of the sidewalk. As I reached the door step, Syd bounded out and wrapped her skinny pale arms around my waist. And for once I wasn't repulsed by the invasion of my personal space. Instead I hugged back with just as much force. Once again, I was happy for a moment.