there's never enough

I finally saw my first glimpse of it today

as the dawn broke over the horizon

-a beige flash,

gone so quickly,

I thought it was a trick of the light

reflecting on the morning dew

until it came back

as if to taunt me.

And it does,

unintentionally.

But hope

or perhaps naivete

urged me forward.

This may be the day.

I tip-toed after it,

creeping low,

so the reek of my desperation wouldn't go downwind,

startling it

and having it flee

to who knows where.

If I knew where,

I would perch myself nearby

and become like stone,

waiting,

finger on the trigger,

ready....

and I was so deep in thought,

I nearly missed the moment it paused.

This may be the day.

It thinks its safe

or else it wouldn't have stopped.

So,

finger trigger steady,

I raise my gun.

This may be the day.

And point.

Deep.

This may be the day.

Breath.

And.

***

Did I-

is-

is this the day?

Or should I say night?

For the sun set hours ago.

I came up on it slowly

and it didn't move.

As I got closer still,

a glare nearly blinded me

-moonlight off of broken glass.

My eyes widen in horror

at the sand pouring out,

blending with the earth.

*

*

*

There's nothing left.

*

*

*

No time at all.