Cosmos.

Before her, I'd never really believed in magic, in its
fiery presence and power igniting the air. It was
never something I could prove, or point to, but I
saw the start of a gleam in her eyes, the way she took
my hand for the first time as we hurried to the festive
carnival gates. She and I became every possible cliche,
and no one cared as we danced from one attraction
to the next. By sunset, my heart and hands were full.
She won a purple stuffed dragon the size of my head
and we took turns carrying it on our backs, smiling as
we shared secrets and intimacy and trust and youth.
The heat was oppressive yet her touch cooled me down,
even my anxieties were subdued for the most part.
We talked until the stars peeped out; her words soothed
each fear of the unknown. I felt like I learned a side of
the universe from her. She taught me about Buddha
and the cessation of suffering and what it meant
to feel awakened. I told her about the fullness in
my spirit, simply being by her side. She smiled,
amber eyes glowing, and I felt more alive than ever,

until I realized, time was running out.

She was evaporating in front of me,
particle by particle.

And, so was I.

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written from the prompts in the main forum: carnival, stuffed dragon, Buddha