We saved the world. We threw the last bomb into the crowds of rotting bodies and decaying brains. We crossed one final street and shut the gates behind us. We were safe. Or so I thought.

We celebrated—a fleeting, fragile moment of peace. Amid the laughter and relief, all I could do was watch him. He was in the center of it all, embracing everyone who had gathered around him. Then, I saw it—a trickle of dark liquid seeping from his jacket.  

My heart stopped. My joy shattered into panic, and my lips quivered as I whispered in fear. The world has already been burned, and yet—burned even more as my body slowly shaken in agony.

“No. That can’t be. Oh God, no—please!”  

I ran to him, my hands trembling as I lifted his jacket. The truth was undeniable. It was there all along. He had been bitten.  

I froze, panic gripping my chest. I choked until I could not breathe anymore.

He didn’t speak a word. He didn’t have to. His eyes met mine, and I saw everything. He knew. He had known all along. He had insisted we go to Churchill Street first, pushing through the pain, enduring the wounds inflicted into his tired body. He wanted to make sure we were somewhere safe before it all happens. Somewhere where the night isn’t a nightmare
—and then turn into one of those lowly rotting bodies we used to aim our guns with.

“How dare you, Sid!” I choked on the words as tears streamed down my face. Before I could say more, he collapsed to the ground.  

“Can you sing me my favorite song?” he whispered, his voice soft and strained.  

I opened my mouth to protest, to beg, but his pleading gaze stopped me. I nodded, holding back sobs, and began.

“Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful  
Beautiful boy  
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful  
Beautiful boy”

As I sang, he reached into his pocket and handed me a pair of eyeglasses I had been wanting for so long. They weren’t my usual prescription, but I took them, holding them to my chest as if they were a piece of him.  

I cupped his face and pressed my lips to his, tears mingling with our fleeting touch. Then I lay beside him on the cold ground, holding him close as I finished the song.

“Goodnight, Sid,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “See you in the morning.”  

He smiled, content, and mouthed the three words we used to say to each other before every battle.  

“Sleep now, my beautiful boy,” I said, my voice trembling with sorrow. I kissed his forehead and whispered a final prayer for him as his eyes slowly closed.

I heard our song today,
Started to turn it off,
but decided to let it play.

Every line was a memory,
I tried to sing along.

I knew all the words by heart,
but my voice was gone.

When the chorus hit,
all I could see was your face.

Then the rhythm transported me to another place.
A happier time, when you were still mine.

It's been so **** long.
How can I not be fine?

How can that song get me every time?
That beautiful **** song,
Oh how I wished it would end.

Funny thing is,
when it finally did.

I wiped the tears from my eyes,
and as hard as I tried,

I couldn't stop myself
from playing it again.

Paso a paso. Oh Mujer, el Ángel Guardián de mi corazón
Yo te seguiría por el camino de la felicidad
Haría enormes sacrificios para unirme a tu camino
Te imploro que no tengas ninguna duda
Te volveré a encontrar porque te amo mucho, te amo
No me importarán todo tipo de problemas
Recuerda la hermosa canción de Alain Barrière
Yo cruzaré fronteras y romperé barreras
Para exhumarte, apreciarte y amarte más
Como se ha hecho a lo largo de los siglos
Si tú no volviste a mí, si tú no volviste
Tú y yo nunca jamás tendremos paz
Paso a paso, poco a poco, pequeño y gran paso
Tú y yo estaremos juntos bajo un nuevo techo.

A pesar de mareas, vientos y huracanes: te amo
Y no voy a gritar y vociferar que yo te amo.

Mujer, mujer de mi corazón, si no volviste
Paso a paso. Yo buscaría en las enciclopedias de secretos
Para encontrar la puerta de tu corazón y la llave de tu alma
Yo cruzaré valientemente todas las fronteras. ¡Oh Mujer!
Mujer de mi ser, estoy listo para ser criticado
Castigado, censurado, cañoneado, incluso crucificado y clavado
Como se ha hecho a lo largo de los siglos
Para resucitar el amor y amarte más
Por favor alimenta no, sin duda
Ya que estarás sola en mi camino, en mi ruta
Si tú no volviste a mí, si tú no volviste
Tú y yo nunca jamás tendremos paz
Paso a paso, poco a poco, pequeño o gran paso
Tú y yo cargaremos juntos la misma cruz.

A pesar de la lluvia, el viento y los truenos: te amo
Y me reiré, cantaré y sonreiré porque yo te amo.

P.D. Homenaje a Alain Bellec (Barrière), un gran cantante y poeta.
Traducción de mi poema en francés “Si Tu Ne Me Revenais”.

Copyright © diciembre de 2004, Hébert Logerie, Todos los derechos reservados
Hébert Logerie es autor de varios libros de poesía.