I feel the air catch my sigh and wrap it in a breath
hollowed lungs, retching tight, sinking into death.
Around, all around, the mourners gather each to pay a due
this lifeless corpse, unreceptive it’s all compensation for you.
I kneel to break your fall but your body breaks my ghost
outside my shell, I lose my breath and wait to raise my host.
My dread grows fast as each word falls, blindly upon steel lips
your kiss dissolves into that flesh yet I feel your fingertips
comfort my hand, take the pain and wish it on to you
as my mother's child, you’d take my death and gladly keep it too.
Tears drown the skin that wrinkles hard, to crush them into rivers
your broken heart echoes so loud that walls cower in shivers.
Suffocating pain engulfs time, ignoring the space
wailing spectators outclassed by you, your never-ending grace
warms my heart or what this is now, you always made me safe and sound
as this heavy air chokes your breath I gently revolve around.
Your broken body, silent stare, somehow you’re dying too
I raise my arms to stroke your face and you feel that I’m with you,
those eyes warm up as tears draw the pain away from your shattered heart
I give my love and everything I have to ease as I depart.
You gave me a life unconditional and endless love to guide the way,
in this touch I know you sense all those words, in my ghost that I can't say
your body’s tender as you take a breath in that moment I’m right here,
the body you held was just a vessel, you feel there is nothing to fear.
No need to speak for I am you and all you ever gave
my final kiss steals a gasp but it’s ok, you laugh, be brave.
Your smile lit the way for my life and returns to ease my death
‘I love you’ sings from your lips through a trembling, difficult breath
I sing it back as I take my place on the breeze of finality
I’ll be here with you until you are ready, I knew this was to be.

*Keep the faith.