Beautiful Filth

It's the first day of summer, may is nearly over and children run around on the abandoned concrete road, passing a leather ball to one and another, they seem to be blissfully unaware of the molden stench beneath the light green lawns. Daffodils can be seen spread all over the neighbourhood, peaking from all but one of the gardens, like a disease.

He walks past the yellow painted house, circling a sharp corner and stumbles on the uneven pavement.

His left foot falls into the hole of a missing cobblestone and he stops abruptly to regain his footing, though quickly he continues walking towards the old wooden entrance.

And as he arrives he observes how the white fence is protecting the house; hiding behind a beautiful bright garden, displaying flowers in colours more rich than anything he had ever hoped to imagine, and even scents oh so pleasant, almost spellbinds him to fade into another world, though fortunately he remembers his purpose and with a fast movement he opens the creaking gate.

A deep exhale calms his chest, his gaze becomes drawn to the crackled red painted front door, blurring all other surroundings. A moment passes, he blinks and sees his feet are now standing on the top step before the main entrance. The man is puzzled for a second but reaches down in his backpocket, and finds a small paperwrapped box, he takes a step back down, and places the fragile box on the top step, resting it against the door. Dimples show as his mouth spreads into a hopeful smile, while a rosy colour embraces his neatly shaven cheeks, and as he turns around, his pulse races as if his heart was attempting to escape his body.

An itch creeps down his left arm, just as he closes the gate behind him. Maybe this time.

· · · — — — · · ·

The tide had crept upon him,
All too soon, he felt.
Delicate sand had buried his puny ankles,
Bound him to the sea.
Frantically he turned his gaze; searching.
His eyes glistened with a desperate plea, for the sight of hers
And a distant silhouette,
Barely visible to the naked eye,
Disguising the woman's features,
Showed only a blurry layer of her fair polished skin,
Though she certainly approached his pathetic state,
To his regret, he knew now how, their eyes were never to be met.
Devastated with sorrow, he quietly offered his farewell

"Yes or no?"

10, 9, 8, 7...

"Yes or no?"

6, 5...

"Yes or no!?"

4, 3, 2...

"Decide!"

1...