1826 Days

1826 Days

She reappeared in my life.

Again.

Five years have passed since I last saw her.

Five years since I knelt and proposed marriage to the only woman I have ever known.

She is the only woman I have ever loved.

She still holds that moniker.

She gave me that, “someone like you, but not you”, look and walked away.

That was 1826 days ago.

I have not found another, nor was I looking.

Her wound takes far longer than 1826 days to heal.

Her wound paralyzes me from another attempt.

Her wound guarantees that I will be where she left me.

Primed for another strike, vulnerable to another assault, I stand defenseless.

That is, until she smiles.

That is, until she says, “Yes.”

A sucker is born every minute and in 5 years, 2629440 take their first breath.

None should have to take a second under these conditions.

Only as my front door closes do I find the closure I deserve.

Today begins the first day of the rest of my life.