The sun drops so slowly, the lingering wisps of clouds are ablaze. I lift my eyes to the sky, setting the fiery array. Red, orange, purple, pink, and blue. The first stars are appearing, the sliver of the moon. And in that glorious moment of seemingly impenetrable peace, the silent glory is shattered as your face comes to me.

I once stood here on a lovely evening like this, with your arms wrapped around me, the breeze whispering in the trees. I felt so very certain that I had received God's greatest gift, a love so pure, heaven sent, my soul in bliss.

Now I stand here mourning , missing all that I once held so dear. All was an illusion and has been displaced by fear. In this aching soul, no matter how hard you tried, you could never strip away God's eternally abiding light. Although I may be injured by all of your darkness and hate, my soul cannot be truly broken, for my faith and light remain.