Dappled Time

A velveteen rabbit lies abandoned on the bed. Sunday afternoon creeps quietly up through the open window. Muted voices below are passed to and fro by the bright air. The wheels of a car or two echo on the shimmering breeze.

Visions of the week and time long past languidly appear but silence swats them away with an idle hand; the present keeps all else at bay. A minute unfolds itself into slow seconds then stretches some more. The world vanishes into fragments. Somewhere a clock ticks on undeterred.

Steps appear on the stair and movement accumulates beyond the door with the rush of youth. The velveteen rabbit looks out through his glassy eye. Footsteps fade. Stillness remains.

Hours pass. Golden evening filters through the curtains and the dog stares whimsically into the mid distance dreaming of the beach not taken. Shadows slide across the walls and crouch in the corners. Night wraps her velvet cloak around the house and today walks into tomorrow.