Infinity

The last drops on my face were frightened by the scream and hid under the blanket.
I look at two suns highlighted by a smile.
She soothes me with words I remember.
I will hide the imprint of her face in the rhythm of my heartbeat. Forever.
She gives me a name.
My most beautiful morning. The first one.

I got engaged to life. I toast to health with full gulps of happiness. After all, I am a prince. Chosen to rule two mother-of-pearl buttons sewn to velvet. I hold her hand all morning.

I became a captain. A sailboat flies through the waves. I peer far away through a plastic tube, and colorful crystals fall from the sky. I am thirsty. I squeeze refreshment out of books. I hurry. I must be home for lunch. She cooked my favorite dish.

I climbed to the peak. I cover the land below me with my palm. I take a deep breath and shout. Heavy words trigger an avalanche. I no longer feel thirst, only hunger. But I don’t go home. I’ve forgotten the way. I hesitate. I look into her face. Two lakes filled with sadness, their shores scattered with layers of wrinkles.

I rush forward. I collect everything and pile it up. The heaps grow, and I run out of space. I must throw something away. I let go of humility.

It rushes forward. From the side road. It didn’t see me.

I will never see the land below me again. I lost my crown and captain’s epaulets. I crawl among the piles, searching for a child’s telescope. I want to see the crystal sky one more time. She smiles and hands me my teddy bear. There are no reproaches. The silence tears at my insides. My heartbeat speeds up, my mind slows down.

I swim in an infinite ocean. The surface is as calm as silent waves. The sky glows with countless tiny flames of lanterns. I remember only her. She gave me a name I can’t recall. It was just a moment. I can already see the shore. Dawn breaks...