Last Date

Journal entry of Richard Edwards: November 15th, 1963.

 

Her smile was like a weak cup of coffee.

I looked out the window.

Leaves were fulfilling their autumn vows

and fleeing away,

far from scolding fingertips.

The sun was falling asleep,

to dream of moon and stars

and blinking neon.

The town was settled among the hills

and railroad tracks of yesterday.

Colors were fading from the photograph,

having been left in the sun too long.

She was saying something I cannot recall.

I smiled.

She looked out the window.

Night had crept from the shadows

and embraced the world.

But blue neon bathed the parking lot.

She asked if I was finished.

I drank the last of my coffee

and, hand in hand, we departed.