Moon Shadows by Andrew BoddySpargo

Two moon shadows move.
Around us the ground is glinting,
Crystal-cold grass that glows
pale quicksilver.
Ahead a brook trickles
Under leaves frozen on branches
Before their final descent.
I grip the velvet box in my pocket,
My breath in quick steamy jets.
At my side, she shivers,
Withdrawing into her down vest.
We arrive at the edge.
I look to where the slinking water
Disappears quietly into darkness,
But she turns her gaze upstream,
Wondering where it started.
The box in my hand trembles as I kneel.
She turns at the unexpected motion,
Curiosity on her face for a fleeting second.
She stops.
The moon is engulfed by clouds.
Our shadows disappear.
In the dim light I see her eyes
Become stars, faint and flickering.
Her gaze falls to the ground
but my heart plummets faster.
I search her face for any sign of hope
But find only a panic that jumps
Into my chest, pounding.
I want to disappear. Silent.
Gone like the bubble in the stream
That swirls along, untouched by the world
Until it bursts.

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