as once before
a last goodbye
before the time
of keeping
hands remembered hands
the same as mine

breath endures
a passing thought
as kiss resolved to memory
another place for moments
passed into
the end of time

was hope renewed
by living
let me die or let me love –
and worry not for seasons
past today

or sweep along
the easy lies –
reminders of our sin
rhyme already written
to the frey

stir the sense
of madness –
beg my fever climb
so different now –
are blessings left to share

softer now
the touching
of thoughts we couldn’t bear –
briar seemed so sweet
when we were there