They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In the case of this particular picture, I would have to disagree. Certainly, it is extremely treasured and holds countless emotions and feelings along with memories that fill my heart, but this one's different. This picture doesn't scream and shout out endless words like so many of them do. In fact, this picture has a deafening silence that fills every aspect of my mind. It's a different kind of silence that is almost indescribable. In a way, it's a sweet, comforting silence that puts me at peace. At first glance, it is easy to see that the picture depicts an endearing and innocent romance between two people. They seem so happy and caught up in the life of that moment that nothing else seems to matter. I can smell the sweet, pungent smell of her perfume, the subtle, boyish smell of his clothes, and the faint, musky smell of the dog that was locked in its cage on the other side of the room. The sun is filtering in through the blinds, just so that it gently lands on their faces, intensifying the glow of their happiness. Just as it warms their skin, it warms their hearts. I can feel the comforting heat of their bodies as they lay side by side, cuddled up with one another for warmth against the slight chill of the bitter cold seeping in through the slightest of cracks in the windows and doors. They lay there, faces so close to each other, hearts intertwined. I can feel the soft touch of his hand ever so gently brushing her face, the coarse, bristly texture of his beard under her delicately trembling fingertips. I can feel the rapid, irregular beating of her heart, racing in her chest as if it's about to burst out and dance around the room in an unexplainable joy. My mind is wrapped up in that single instant in time, as if I were right there. Memories come crashing down on me and a stream of emotions floods into my eyes, escaping in tiny fragments that fall down my face. But instead of a chorus of cheerfulness, ecstasy, remembrance, sadness, or want, all that is heard is silence…

Trapped;
From the moment we meet,
A spell is cast over my fragile being.
Our eyes lock,
Blazing with such an immense intensity;
You blind me.
Our hands touch;
Invisible webs entwine through our fingers;
Your touch paralyzes me.
Your flames seep into my heart,
Burning it from the inside out;
Slowly, it crumbles to ashes.
You slither into my mind,
Filling it with fragile hope,
Only to be lost in the future.
Your wicked magic entrances me.

I must escape.
I turn away from your gaze.
The fire leaves my eyes;
My empty stare is distant and cold.
I pull away from your touch.
The delicate strings tear from my fingers;
My hands fall from yours into nothingness.
I smother the flames of my heart;
All that is left is black emptiness.
I force you out of my mind;
Traces of wistful memories linger;
All hope is abandoned.
I am a hollow shell of disenchantment.

Alone;
My blind eyes search for happiness,
But all they see is disappointment.
My clumsy hands grasp for the comfort of others,
But relief slips through my fingers.
My empty heart yearns for love,
But its cries are stifled with ashes.
My mind runs wild with thoughts of bliss,
But is merely deceived with illusions.
I am drowning in my solitary abyss.

Suddenly you appear.
Once again, our eyes meet;
All I see is you.
Your magic envelops me and binds me to you;
Your embrace sets my soul ablaze;
Liquid fire quenches my thirsty heart.
My mind surrenders to your charm once more;
I am mesmerized by you.
Once again, I fall captive to your power;
Spellbound I become,
And the cycle begins again.