At Peace

He walked into her room
with one more night under his eyes
The nurse took up her trays and went away
Morning blew apart the curtains,
shoved the drapes aside
She was sunken in
into her bed,
and, wet with fever, did she smile
"Hello there, my favorite doctor
Won't you give me my morning kiss?"
she said as he approached the airless realm around her bed.
Her grin burned brightly, but it tired her to grin
She sighed. "Why must you be sad?"
"Cathy, you're fading"

By and by
she came apart,
singing through a storm of sand
In his arms
she fought for rest
Blue eyes slipped like
twin anemic angels

She shook her head at him
with one more night between her ribs
He cupped her face and held her for a while
"You and your finality"
She coughed against his neck,
and by the bed a photograph
to which he glanced without a word
"Love, why does God take the perfect ones?"
"I'm sure He has a plan for you" he replied
and tucked away the matted hair from her brow
"You know He's just a old man
waiting for his match
and I'll show him." "Would you, for me?"

By and by
she came apart
Stubborn as a soldier's song
In his arms
she closed her eyes
Never so triumphant while alive
Never so impressive while alive

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