Thought and Writing; Gas Mask Wedding

 Amy Cole

Thought and Writing

"Its the little things you do that make my heart swell. It's not that you have perfect features, but in turn, your imperfect ability to love me back. Your eyes are a unique shade of blue that pierces through my exterior shell. The curvature of your body, as it forms against mine when we're doing nothing but sleep; I don't just see you... I can feel you. I feel your presence and all that you are as a person. You're genuinely beautiful, inside and out. You are the epitome to my other half, and I will always love you."

I had written this all down for you in hopes that you may read it some day. Fate however, had a different idea in mind. It was a Tuesday, and we walked further into the woods than we ever had before. I can still remember it all perfectly. The way your hair bounced as you lithely stepped over fallen limbs, catching the light in a way that reflected a spectrum of golds and browns in a way I had never seen before. You had been in my life for almost 6 years now, but I had never seen you like this. It was then that I knew you were the only thing I could ever want, or even desire, for the rest of my life.

As we played our cat and mouse game of chase through the trees, a rumble from the East made us pause temporarily. It was a low rumble at first, but soon it grew into a loud roar that shook the whole world. I took you under my arm and we hurried back from the way we came. You noticed before I; the animals of the wood were running with us. They were scared; petrified almost. What had happened that disturbed the peace of the only place still natural? Soon, natural or not, we would all know.

3 months later: Perhaps in a different world, or a different time things could have made sense, or been done differently. There was something hauntingly beautiful as you looked at me through your gas mask on our wedding day.

"Lyra, I love you.."

"I love you too, Markus."

I know it wasn't your first preference for attire, but given the impurities in the air, and steady flow of ash rather than rain, it had become a necessity. You were still the most beautiful thing I'd ever lied eyes upon. Regardless of all the negativity, you were still able to enjoy yourself. I came to the conclusion then that you were the strongest person I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

7 months later we were awoken to the bombs falling only a town away. I can still hear the screams of metal against stone as buildings were torn through and destroyed. Maybe this was the way of the world; the way things were supposed to be. I wasn't sure, but the fright in your eyes through the dim glow from the moon outside our bedroom window scared me more than any bomb. I held you closer than anyone would have ever guessed. You were my world and I wasn't going to let anyone harm you if I could help it.