[Prose] 100mm Anniversary #AutumnPirikaEntry

Our time had stopped at 78 millimeters

A year has passed since I left you behind, you who were so happy about the three-day weekend

Without you, a day is just a thin roll of paper

October 7, 2023, Saturday, Shakko, Autumn leaf viewing

You were so excited to go out with a packed lunch

After summer passed, you, who woke up earlier than the sun

Took me out, as I was still dozing, unable to let go of the night

Deep in the mountains, the deer cries, treading on autumn leaves

Singing that, looking so happy

Holding your straw hat up like a plate

With the clear wind tangling in your dress

You dance along with the leaves that have colored your cheeks

Your hands that touch the trees, the forest, and the mountains

Why didn't I hold onto them?

Even though I knew better than anyone in this world

That once I realized your charm, I would never be able to let you go

The spring water that fell in love with you reaches out and pulls at your hand

As you reach for the pale blue wildflowers blooming by the riverbank

It happened in an instant, before I could even raise my voice

You, pulled into the water

Were easily snatched away right before my eyes

Ophelia, released in the shallows

Your bright smile and sweet voice stolen away

All that was returned was your cold body

Time stops along with everything that was you

Let's celebrate when it reaches 100mm

The pages of the calendar that have passed

Are the accumulation of memories with you

The 78mm of happy days

Were so graceful they seemed to spill over

Fragile enough to crumble if not held with care

Let's celebrate when it reaches 100mm

In my dreams, you say to the slumbering me

After 22mm of time has passed without you

Even these empty days weigh about 600 grams

I head toward you along with the 100mm of time

The forest is quietly turning autumn colors just like that day

It feels strange that you are not there dancing

My voice calling out to you echoes emptily through the forest

Only the rustling of leaves answers back

The pale blue wildflower I reached for

Is blooming beautifully again this year

By the riverside, I remember your voice

The tear-off calendar I brought with me

I light a flame to the edge of October 6th, translucent

The paper, burning up in an instant, rises to the sky

And vanishes as if dancing through the autumn air

It is always me who turns the calendar every morning

In today's memo space, your handwriting, as you left before me

Bouncy, orange-colored words tell me the morning has come

We're having oden tonight, so come home early

Let's think about our third-year celebration together

There's a sudden downpour, you'll need an umbrella

If we get through today, it's a three-day weekend

The meat we ordered will arrive

Happy birthday

Days that burn in an instant

Your memories play back

When I hear your voice, autumn is sorrowful

Singing that, I light the flame

The 100-millimeter days take flight into the autumn sky

If you can climb those stairs

Our time, which has remained frozen since that day

Though we will never walk the same days again

If I can send you off with a 100-millimeter celebration

Monday, October 7, 2024, Sensho, 100-Millimeter Anniversary

In this world without you, I will begin to stack new days from one

(1,054 characters)

I am entering this into the Autumn Pirika Grand Prix.

Looking at the guidelines, it says "■ Must be a story (essays are not allowed)," so I have interpreted this to mean it does not necessarily have to be a novel and have used a free format.
The official header design is very beautiful, so I wrote this with that image in mind.
Thank you very much.