After...

“The present is infinitely fleeting. We live our lives in the moments after.”

-Lia Rae Markins

Two hours

He lay naked in his mother’s arms, on the damp hospital bed

Surrounded by smiling faces

His breath came in gasps

Tiny mouth open like a fish’s

His skin was warm, wrinkled, and red.

She raised his head

The light shone on his closed eyelids

His arms twitched uncontrollably

His skin hanging off his thin arms

His navy, not baby, blue eyes opened briefly

The light reflected off his eyes, tiny golden dots

He stretched out on his back

Arms open fingers spread, he soaked in the warmth of his mother’s arms

His whole life stretched out before him

He was young, fragile, innocent

Everything was new, fragile, wonderful

Seventeen years

He lay naked on the cold wooden dock, on the deep glacier lake

Surrounded by vast green forests

His breath came in gasps

His mouth open like a fish’s

His skin was icy cold, rigid, and red

He raised his head

The sun shone on his closed eyelids

His arms shivered uncontrollably

His skin tight on his strong arms

His navy, not baby, blue eyes opened for a moment

The sun reflected off the lake, a long golden stream

He stretched out on his back

Arms open, fingers spread, he soaked up the warmth of the summer sun

His whole life stretched out before him

He was young, restless, innocent

Everything was new, restless, wonderful

Her

He lay naked in her arms on the soft warm sheets

Surrounded by her sweet smell

His breath came easy and slow

His mouth open like a fish’s

Her skin was soft, smooth, and pink

He lifted her head, kissed her closed eyelids

She trembled slightly

His hand on the skin of her arm

His navy, not baby, blue eyes held her for a moment

Light burned between them, a soft gentle passion

He stretched out on his back

Arms open, fingers spread, he soaked up the her warmth

Their whole life stretched out before them

They were young, dreaming, together

Everything was new, hopeful, wonderful

A lifetime

He lay naked in his patient gown, on the hard hospital bed

Surrounded by sobbing faces

His breath came in gasps

His mouth open like a fish’s

His skin was, clammy, wrinkled, and pale

He raised his head, the light shone on his closed eyelids

His arms trembled uncontrollably

The skin was thick on his tired arms

His navy, not baby, blue eyes opened for a moment

A light shone from his eyes, a fading golden glow

He stretched out on his back

Arms open fingers spread, he soaked up the warmth of the loved ones around him

His whole life stretched out before him

For a moment he was young, peaceful, innocent

Everything was wonderful, peaceful, finished.

Photos by DB www.connerstudio.blogspot.com