In the Blink of an Eye
by Lily Ouyang, Lauriston Girls’ School
Finalist, Years 9 – 10, written poetry
they say time flies, but it doesn’t have wings
instead, it simply slips through
the fleeting breath between heartbeats, drifting,
unanchored, mourned only when absent.
blink – & the morning slips through folds of the curtains
dust settles like yesterday’s sigh
while jasmine lingers in the halls
in the lull of my mother’s hum
blink – & we wander under an endless sky
squeeze our hands tight, afraid of letting ago
as you buried your face in my hair,
whisper of the aroma of strawberries & fresh books
until words dissolve into cherished memories in the distance.
you cannot hold moments in your hand
how precious the finite treasure of time
for granted we take it, & how fast it passes–
a smoky whisper drifting in dawn’s cold haze,
slipping away before i even realise absence.
blink – & i stand amongst rested souls–
wishing i could say goodbye as my fingers
dance on ivory keys, a poor mimicry of your own,
as music seeps into the air like ink.
blink — & i flick through faded photos of us.
faces frozen in time’s echo, blurred & swallowed by shadow.
as i recall your laughter lingering against my bones,
your shadow stretching across the sands.
i wonder—
how could i ever have enough?
the hourglass turns, the sand exhales
as it falls, whispering & chastising–
each grain, a moment slipping through my fingers,
scattered ash caught in the zephyr breeze.
blink, & i stare at the stars like we once did.
graze my cheek on a rooftop tile,
search my mind for the reminiscence of your smile,
count the suspended diamonds against velvet,
just like i did your constellation of freckles.
moving on was running away
from my own tethered, companion of shadow.
what would i do – for just a little more
time?
but in the end, my friend — my love
there is no sorrowed chasing for lost seconds
– but thanking for the ones already lived through.
i stop waiting for – something – to happen
in the end, the plum blossom petals will fall
crushed beneath footsteps that never knew our story
as they sink into the pavement & your song–
our song will still sing through the car radio.
i fog the window with my hasty breath,
press my cheek against the icy glass,
watch as the children play in the park,
couples laugh mirthfully over cups of coffee
smile even as life goes on — without you.
sonder blooming in my chest as i begin
to cherish every second of this fragile,
fleeting gift, that we call time.
Want to read more poems? Explore the other Years 9 – 10 finalists.