“denial keeps cut flowers displayed in a vase long past their removal was due a fly settles in to feast on the decay and still, still i've nothing new to show you.”

“Seems it just takes a Saturday evening walk to a park-full of playful perros and some time by a lovely fountain to remember that it's summertime in January.”

“The ceremony over and the bride and groom in stubborn hiding, the crowd slowly departed from the church, reluctant to leave before seeing the newly wed couple, but resigned to the inevitable Many looked up to the sky, the dark clouds hovering, as if to discern when they would break In the two hours I stood quietly observing from the balcony, I saw little from the scene to report But then, there was this His waving and hollering unsuccessful in catching the minister before he left, this man - the bagpiper - ran across 6 lanes of traffic to give this hug goodbye Beautiful and saddening at the same time, I hoped his tightly closed eyes were enough to imagine that the embrace was equally returned The rain came, washing away the rest of the dwindling crowd, expectant cameras still in hand finally put away Only then did the couple emerge, umbrella open, and slip into the waiting car A grin on his face, the groom held a single thumb up, just beside his ear, to an absent audience And then, there was nothing Just an empty church, some leaves scattered on the ground.”

“Growing up, birthdays were about taking in a treat to share at school (always, always chocolate cupcakes with heart-shaped cinnamon red hots on top; the proximity to Valentine's Day was integral to this).”