Sleeping Beauty

Kiss her. Though “why” is unknown. You only know that fate has brought you here, pulled you through loneliness and travail, unlikely yet painful adventures, moments of doubt, moments of triumph. Kiss her and fulfill the moment. Kiss her because you must, because you want to so, so much.

In frozen repose she is overwhelmingly beautiful. Eyes closed, head turned slightly towards you, lips red yet without rouge. The length of her neck hints at other pleasures. Her eyelids, dark as sleep, give her a glow. Wine dark hair, pale skin. Her head is haloed by a satin pillow and soft wool surrounds her body.

You are here, finally. Kiss her and unlock mysteries. Kiss her and take a wife. Kiss her and begin to dream. You remove your cape, sets aside sword. The afternoon, wintery and wise, soon bathes the room in golden hues. You drop to one knee and take her face in your hands. She is surprisingly cold to the touch. You gently caress her cheek with the back of your hand and your mind empties. She is beautiful. You bend down and close your eyes and your lips find hers and you brush hers with yours. Then you kiss, for a moment. Then you pull away, but just a bit and you stare down at this beautiful, wonderful, shy, woman. An eternity passes before she sleepily opens her eyes and the first thing she sees is you. She smiles, but only briefly. Then her brow furrows and a deeper notion fills her mind. You are the one. You are hers. She knows this and the knowledge overwhelms her. She has waited for you, all her life. Now you are here and the moment confuses as well as relieves. She is happy after a long life of unhappiness. But she is also lost and this fact brings confusion. All she can do is pull you back into her, kiss you again, this time for much longer and more deeply.

As if by magic the sun sets and the world rests and for the first time, the lovers share more than a kiss. More than the dream of deep and endless sleep.