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Silvia Zaharia, 39 years old, is participating in the 6th International Literary Creation Competition, from Bucharest, Romania. We are grateful for the participation and wish her success.

Visions

I had a vision of you
While sitting in church. 
Your face appeared
So clearly,
While praying
It startled me
And I almost screamed
And scared off the angels
And the saints.
But what do you mean to me,
The vision did not tell me.

So, I have to ask now:
Are you salvation,
Or are you, my damnation?
Do you bring temptation,
Or will you be redemption?
Am I saved, or cursed?
Are we heaven made of hell bound?
Do you give blessings,
Or will you cut me deep?
Shall I pray for mercy,
Or should I say my Grace?

You tested my faith,
My patience
And my will.
I felt tormented,
Yet hopeful,
And pious.
You silenced my fears,
You summoned my demons,
You brought out joy,
And you left me dreaming,
Of the sunniest skies.

I now keep my distance,
My quiet
And calm.
I walk in the light,
All beaming with charm.
I keep that vision of you,
In my glued up,
Childish little heart.
But I stopped
Going to church,
Since I fell apart.

***
Silly jokes and crumbs

Coffee and cigarettes,
Sitting across the table.
Having long chats,
Smiling at each other.
Silly jokes
And playful banter.
Me and you.

Then silence
And crumbs.
Short texts,
Heartbreak and healing,
Unapologetically missing
You, but mostly,
A new beginning for us.

I took myself apart
In your absence,
I mended broken bones,
And corners of my soul.
I made myself smaller,
Leaner, tougher.

I shine brighter now,
All smiles and cheers,
But with the saddest,
Kindest blue eyes,
You’ll ever see.

And while you were away,
All my old vices
Have become verses.
***

Fairy tale

This life I long for
Close to you
Will be no fairy tale
We won’t live happily
Ever after
For I am no damsel
In distress
And surely, darling,
You are not a prince.
So, there will be turmoil
And tears,
And arguments,
And days of boredom.
We will be tired,
And stressed,
And sometimes
Out of sync.

But there will also be
Days of joy,
And love,
And laughter.
Lazy mornings
And crazy nights.
Years of growing
And becoming better
At caring 
For each other
And simply
Being together
Flawed, broken
And imperfect
As we both are,
Simply enjoying
The little things,
The simple things:
A smile,
A touch,
A kiss,
An adoring word.

So, you see, darling,
This life I long for
Close to you
Will surely be
No fairy tale -
It will be better.