Drought

“I didn’t know which felt worse
— the drought —
or the nothingness
you left in your wake.”

There was a drought all around me — and within me. Not even a tear could be shed. That’s how it felt when you left me behind. There were no more nights of dancing in the summer rain. Not even a taste of you to quench my thirst. Just an enormous expanse of nothing. And I didn’t know which felt worse — the drought — or the nothingness you left in your wake.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

All I need is a little
escape from this pain.

Lover’s Walk

“I want you to know that
I’m right there next to you.
Because lovers always
walk together.”

I can feel you. As if you’re right next to me. Even though you are miles away. And I suppose that’s what I’ll always feel. Because your whispers catch in the wind. And it’s like the creaks in the trees and the rustling of leaves is nothing more than you telling me about your day. It’s about your thoughts. What you’re feeling. And darling, I feel your pain and sadness right now. Just like it’s my own. I want you to know that no matter where you are — wherever your feet hit the ground, I’m right there next to you. Because lovers always walk together.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

So, tell me darling,
do you feel me too?

My Fix

“And darling,
you’re like a drug,
and it’s been so long
since I’ve had my fix.”

Those nights,
underneath
the white satin,
still leave shivers
traveling down
my spine.
They leave me
craving.
Wanting
another taste.
And darling,
it’s like a drug
and it’s been
so long since
I’ve had my fix.
So please,
let’s forget
everything
else tonight
and get lost
underneath
those sheets.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

Won’t you join me?

Blindside

“Is it too much to ask for a little
courage to know, without a doubt,
that everything is okay?
That is the courage I need.”

This was the moment that would make me. Or it would break me. I wasn’t sure, but it felt like I was doomed from the start. Even now, years later, I’m still waiting for that shoe to drop. For this world to come crumbling down and leave me broken on my knees in surrender. So I look up at all those shimmering lights in the night sky and beg for a little solace. For the briefest of moments when all feels right in the world. Is it too much to ask for a little courage to know, without a doubt, that everything is okay? That there’s no demons of mine waiting to blindside me? That is the courage I need.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

And maybe, if I’m lucky,
that courage will last.

Waging Wars

“Darling, you aren’t
irreparable and broken.
You’re the light in my life
and I need you.”

Darling, whenever you need the reminder, know you are going to win this fight. Because you aren’t the only one waging a war inside. You see, it’s the way you rise. The way you let go. Because nothing can hold you down. And, even though you don’t need it, I’ll help you stand every time you stumble and fall. Just like you do for me. Because you aren’t too much. You aren’t irreparable and broken. You’re the light in my life and I need you to stay with me.

Maybe that makes me selfish. But that’s okay, as long as I have you.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

Everything is okay
as long as I have you.

Silver Lining

“Your heart drew me in
like a moth to flame.
And darling, I’m never looking back.”

Your heart drew me in like a moth to flame. It was your warmth. Your generosity. Your inherent belief that there’s always a silver lining. You see, it’s that optimism of yours that made me realize that I have the choice to see the world through your eyes. To see the beauty beneath the ruin. The hope in the darkness. And darling, I’m never looking back.

And that gift is priceless.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

Thank you for having
a heart worth more than gold.

Done For

“But there was something about you
that made me feel like I was home.
You were everything I ever wanted.”

Maybe it was the spring in your step.
Or the smell of your hair
whenever you passed me by.
But there was something
about you that made me
feel like I was home.
It was safe. It was contentment.
It was everything I ever wanted.
You and that beautiful
big heart of yours.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

And when you called me
your Spanish rose, I was done for.

When I Die

“When I die, don’t hurt for me.
Know that I’m safe and sound.
That I’m always with you.”

When I die, don’t mourn for me. Know that I’m forever asleep, dreaming for the rest of eternity. When I die, don’t miss me. Because I’m always with you. In your hearts. In your memories. Know that I’m always right beside you. When I die, don’t hurt for me. Know that I’m safe and sound. That I’ll be there for all the big moments. Even the little ones too.

Just as long as you don’t forget me.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

So, please, don’t ever forget me.

The One For Me

“And out of everyone else in this world,
I know you’re the one for me.”

In moments like this, when we’re beneath the stars, looking at the same moon and mapping out the constellations, I’m reminded of you. Of us. I know, out of everyone else in this world, you understand me. You are the one that hears my voice. Not just my words, but everything in between. You hear the pauses, those moments when I’m most vulnerable. Those moments when I’m afraid about what the future will bring. But most of all, I wonder if you can hear how much I love you. And out of everyone else in this world, I know you’re the one for me.

© Sarah Doughty

Another year around the sun.
And I’m still amazed you’re by my side.
Thank you.

Aglow

“It was like something
set my world aglow.
And that light was you.”

My life was moving a mile a minute. It felt like flying across an endless expanse of blue skies and white, puffy clouds. The kinds of clouds a child could point out shapes and faces, marveling in their beauty. Except, for me, it was night. There was no moon. No stars. But, at the same time, everything was lit up. Like something set the world aglow. That light was you. And even though it was night, it didn’t make it any less beautiful knowing I was alive and free as a bird.

That’s what it feels like when I’m with you.

© Sarah Doughty
2018

That’s what it feels like
to be in your arms.