HAIBUN

***

Icy Love

by Guy Belleranti

     We met in a rocky valley between glaciers on a night when the moons were many and the stars hung like jewels in the sky. She was the loveliest being I'd ever laid my three eyes on. She looked cold so I removed my outer skin and moved to drape it over her shoulders. She jumped away with startling speed. Such closeness wasn't possible, she cried. She was of the ice people, a kind who must live without contact and love.

     No contact? No love? Couldn't be! I watched as she fled, called out to her and started to follow, but she'd vanished.

     I returned to the valley the following evening with little hope of seeing her, but there she was in the exact spot where she'd been the previous night. Our eyes met, and the night tingled with electricity. I wanted to move closer, wanted to speak to her, but decided against both. Patience was needed for the present.   

     Our meetings continued, and I began bringing her small gifts -- necklaces of icy space pearls, bouquets of fragrant frozen life forms. She took each, but still never came near enough for me to touch.

     And then one evening, she smiled at me and closed the distance....

my warm embrace

she melts into my arms

and evaporates

***

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Scifaikuest is also available as a print zine (which differs from the on-line zine.) To order a copy, or better yet, to order a subscription, go to sdpbookstore.com/scifaikuest.htm

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