Was it all an illusion? A blinding façade? Perhaps.

Maybe Cinderella had it better; Her ending came after happily ever,

But now you have moved on from that foolish endeavor...

Moved on to a life you might live a bit better.

All that to say, an end to this story is the end to a chapter

In the life that you choose to chase your happily ever after

Whatever that means. The choice to grow is the best you can make.

Find the art in the scribbles of your life: the secrets you keep from even you.

Perhaps an illusion is what was formed by the waterfall words that came through,

and perhaps you were blinded before you were burned by the spirited wind that once blew.

Perhaps...

Perhaps those words were still true.

Perhaps it wasn't a fake that you lived, no façade that you felt.

Perhaps—though the story's long gone—

The golden gleam that once lit your life was real before it was done.

You don't have to be in love to remember being in love.

It isn't betraying the "you" you've become to look back and smile at those days

Because while there's a pain in those thoughts that you'd rather be rid of,

And your renaissance is long gone, replaced by enlightenment...

Perhaps the beauty of those little moments like this is worth the pause, like a sunset. Ephemeral, distant, and soon replaced by a chill... but enough to make the heart swell for but an instant.

This, too, shall pass.