Sunrise by Evelyn Sprague - 2026 Romance Writing Competition 2nd Place Winner

Sunrise by Evelyn Sprague

We stand at the edge of the morning,

Looking out at the rising day.

The light's lapping at the shadows-

Waves of hope and dismay.

It begins to wash over our ankles,

Sun on the ties of our shoes.

I wish I had worn my galoshes,

But I'd loaned them to you to use.

Your eyes are on the horizon,

On the sunrise over the trees.

It's a beautiful sight to be certain

But my eyes are, as always, on thee.

I have no patience for drowning.

Who has that kind of time?

But I let the light cover my body

As I'd have yours cover mine.

My thoughts summon your attention.

I think you read my mind.

You smile ever so brightly,

And I fear the light's made me blind,

Because of course you love me.

We're not drowning in light.

The fear of the morning is just an illusion-

Indeed, so too is the fear of the night.

I return your smile,

And we step into the day.

It's no worse than any other

And everything ends up okay.