last night i dreamed of a couple, sitting together on a porch. as i watched, they aged 50 years in a blink, each wrapped up in the other.

“when we were young, things took us so much time,” he said, staring off, her head on his shoulder. “now everything we do takes so much of our time.”

she nodded, gazing at his lined face.

“we have to start guarding what’s left. we can’t keep giving it away.”

i watched them nuzzle closer, turn to dust and float away in the wind, the deep orange sun setting behind them.

it feels unfair.