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?