A Grave Reminder
Heaven’s veil drew thin and
sheer
On the edge of Light
Death became and drew you
near
Visions within sight
Premonitions, proven true
Bristled past with shudders
Unknowning depths, as I held
you;
My best friend and my lover
Upon the precipice of harm
A passing moment fled
Goosebumps rose across my
arms
Imaging you dead
Twenty-twenty hindsight
Unlocked the mystery
How close you were to taking
flight;
Your written destiny
The line; a demarcation
Heart’s keloid scar reminds
That morning’s open vision
Your death, footsteps behind
Even in my sensing
Grief had not yet come
The shock; a storm that stunning
Would strip me bare; undone
Our roots ran strong and deep
Years, we’d grown in favor
I saw yet couldn’t “see”
Or taste death’s bitter flavor
Until the day arrived
Split; before and after
Left behind; alive
Tears replaced our laughter
As days would turn to weeks
And weeks would soon make
years
Since last I heard you speak
Living out my fears
While our weeping willow;
Seems fitting as I think
Death, it too, would swallow
From the view; our kitchen sink
But only on the one side
Was split right down the middle
Half; with leaves, alive
Half; barren, broken, brittle
I watched over the months
As one tree became two
I cut it at the trunk
But that tree still speaks of you
It was beautiful, remember?
Its branches bringing doves
Oh, how loss made me cower
With fear I’d lose all love
Despising its reminder
As it taunted me each day
I buried life with death
I died and made my grave
But love has found a path;
It, rooted in my being
Sprouting from a tiny crack
Awakening my feelings
Standing on the edge of love
Dare I take the chance?
Plant the tree and call the doves?
Free my heart to dance?
Our willow comes to mind
As I ponder all I’ve lost
What value, though, is true love
If it doesn’t have a cost?