If only he had known it would be their last kiss
His lips would have merged with hers
If only he had known he'd never hold her again
He'd have embraced her until the skylarks' symphonious song
Safely swathed within his heart, for that's where love doth belong...
He couldn't shed a tear at his beloved's funeral
His grief knew no bounds & yet couldn't find expression
Fifty-five years of marriage cut asunder by the shadow of death
His children and family were beyond the word bereft...
Six weeks had passed since the reading of her eulogy
He withdrew into a dark and silent place that gave no voice
Inwardly screaming, "Why didn't you take me, or give me a choice?"...
His children were most bewildered by his lack of tears
And then suddenly he spoke---
"Take me to the cemetery right now, please"
He kissed her tombstone and fell to his knees...
"Thank you, God, thank you for taking her before me
Thank you for giving me this unbearable pain to bear and not her"
His heart opened, and a river of sorrow fell from his eyes
The clouds parted, revealing God's promise blessing the blue skies...