August 23rd

" I remember that day As clear as the crystal springs in June" only it wasn't June, It was August the morning air was thick like smoke it choked me awake the first blush of day flushed across the sky blood red clouds colored her path I lay still like the air without a hint of summer's wind the clock on the wall tormented me with the tick, tock, tick, tock, its bony hands seemed to skip along until I arose from bed I sipped on coffee as I took in the news unsure what my day would bring ...and then I could hear a buzz as if a fly was making circles beside the bed, then a ring, ring, ring echoed within my purse I stared at the clock my heart began to beat faster then time was it my father did something happen I worried as I listened the voice was indistinct as if being choked I struggled with my ears to make sense of the words that fell ...and then silence fell all around as if deaf and mute unable to process and conceive the message my brother, who turned 49 just the day before was breathless like the august wind no more jokes or laughter or candles atop cake his wick had burned out within that last breath of air and it burns, slow as the years pass still to this day yet I'll remember that day forever more.... pick a line contest Mustapha Mohammed "Reflections when the summer breathes" Sandy Adams 8-22-2013