Instances: The space between

Although summer has finally arrived in all its glory, there is still a crispness in the early morning sunshine that makes me shove my hands deeper into my pockets. After years living in the North East, I finally started embracing the local tradition of looking away when crossing paths with an oncoming pedestrian. In my state of decaffienation, I’m not ready to flash a smile or exert the energy of lifting my eyebrows or shifting my chin for a nod. I’m a night owl. No, I’m nocturnal. My head hit the pillow at 6am, and 8:30 feels like an ungodly hour to be walking into work. As I pass the corner of Baker Library and Tuck/Thayer Drive, I pick up the pace. Three minutes to walk another 3/4 miles. Definitely going to be late.
A small clinking sound makes my head jerk up. For the briefest of instants, our gazes meet. We each breath in and hold the air, the sensation seeping beyond our lungs, through each microscopic capillary into each of our hearts. We are breathless, filled with the electricity of a first kiss, of possibility an eternity in the making. Time stands still. And then it is over. The chirping of the birds pierce my ears as his bike slices the air next to me. My heart pounds my ribcage and I am awake.

~ by smnd on June 25, 2008.