I could light up the world
including the oceans
on overcast days or
all darkened afternoons
even though the axis
slipped down past Madagascar
The Arabian Sea and
The Bay of Bengal.
From where I sit
I imagine all the places
I've never been
the mountains climbed
the beaches shared
before, during and after him
the times taken for granted
when neither of us knew
How thirty fragile years
of love could be lost or
that the absence of a shoulder
to lay this sad head upon
would mean so much although
far be it from me to begrudge
your going, you gave me the best years
oh, love of my Methodist heart
So blind I was, so hopeful
when will I stop reliving
and replaying the last time you
apologized for all the trouble
you caused, and this, you said
then collapsed into my arms
speaking no more until
a brief break in fevered coma
You summoned such strength
from the shadows of death
to call my name, eyes closed
old heart pounding
one last word on this planet
as if questioning my presence
to which I whispered
I'm here, I'm still here