Tuesday, June 1
Jun. 1 Tues.
"I'm no Pandora..." -me
We both stepped out of the car - brother and sister - still clutching our stomachs.
We were laughing so hard, at jokes so shallow.
I staggered to the front gate, still drunk on hollow laughter, and reached for the doorbell.
*Buzz. Buzzzz.*
He slung his arm around my shoulders, and poked me in the ribs.
I swatted his hand away, and poked him in the ribs too.
We doubled over, filling the chilly afternoon air with loud guffaws.
We leaned on the white gate for support.
...
As we waited for somebody to open the gate,
My dry giggles echoed around in my empty soul.
...
I stood still as my threshold of pain and suffering burst open and drowned me from the inside.
I felt the surge of despair throb through my veins and slowly crush my being...
It was like downing a shot of venom -
Bitter, like a spoonful of crushed seeds
Sickeningly sweet, like a cup of melted brown sugar
Thick, like a glob of honey
White hot, like a gulp of vodka...
...
I threw my head back, and closed my eyes...savoring the pain, the drowning sensation...
To get lost in the kiss of Death, with the tempo of Life still pounding in my ears.
I slowly opened my eyes...and looked up at the glorious overcast.
...
He took one look at me...
Then for no reason at all, he gripped my shoulder, and proclaimed with all confidence:
"Just like Pandora...she opened the chest full of misery, pain, and despair..."
...
My eyes widened.
*Where the hell did THAT come from?*
...
He leaned his head next to mine, and continued:
"And just like Pandora before her...all she had left was hope...."
...
The gate was opened, and he staggered inside, dragging me along.
And just as the earth got covered in a blanket of tears...
I whispered to the stale air:
...
"Oh, but Kuya...
...
I'm no Pandora."