He came again
This ancient ghost
Battered by time
Frail, haggard
His eyes...
A distantly faint light
Flickering as a projector
Viewing the movie of his life
Pause, rewind, replay
A handsome youth
Full of heart, flourishing
Bounding through life
Eager to see what lies beyond
What happens next
Fast forward
An apprehensive adolescent
Brandishing roses
Red as the blood in his veins
Pulse pounding as she comes into view
Her smile
Pause
His angel
Heaven in her eyes
Through her lips
Her touch
Play
The proposal
Her spirit danced
She was aglow
They set a date
Fast forward
Something went wrong
The doctor swore
He had done everything
Medically possible
Maternal, fetal mortality
Pause
At her bedside
His wife
His angel
Bled white
Frame by frame
Holding her hand
Limp and cold
Emptiness
Rage
Torment
Guilt
A kiss
Upon frozen lips
He died
His daughter
Perfect
Wrapped in a sheet
He waited
For her to breathe
The nurse
Apologetic
Restlessly paced
Beyond the curtain
To bag the still born fetus
He died
Denied the pride
Of being a father
Fast play
The roses now white
As the gown she wore
His wife
His angel
In her final bed
Friends gravely saying farewell
Attempting to give comfort
For which they had none to give
The days
The nights
Utter anguish
A tortured man
Fast forward
...
...
...
...
He came again
This ancient ghost
Battered by time
Frail, haggard
Slow and steady up the walk
The night
A single red rose in his grasp
His wife and daughter
At their grave
An earthy mourn escaped his throat
Between the two he laid
A single breath
Closing his eyes
He saw
Her smile
As darkness closed in
His beating heart
Beat less,
His journey absolute
He was finally laid to rest ~12 APR 2008
© Rhiannon Raventhorn, All rights reserved.