THE LAST FAREWELL

I got no sleep at all last night
The ringing phone gave me a fright
Halfway into peaceful slumber
He said you are dead – my heart ripped asunder
Closed my eyes but still could see
Saw you there in front of me
Saw you clearly as in day
A sunken shell, life ebbed away
Your image hardened in my brain
If this continues I’ll go insane
Frail and petite you lay in the chair
Then opened your eyes and gave me a stare
You opened your mouth some words to speak
I nearly let out a fearful shriek
Tell me what you are trying to say
Communicate in your own way
Anything, just give me a sign
I want to know what’s on your mind
Breathlessly I stood in waiting
All the while my heart was thumping
You closed your mouth without a sound
I watched your eyes as they looked around
They took in the room from floor to ceiling
Then settled on mine, your look appealing
I wanted to pull you off that chair
Slap your face so you’d be aware
Tell you that I know you’re dying
That you’ll leave us all sad and crying
I wanted to inject my life in you
And tell myself it was not true
You were not gone, you are still here
Yet all the while I shook with fear
Your eyes are closing I know it’s not sleep
God now takes you, you are his to keep
A whisper of your breath I hear out loud
Its presence floats as a passing cloud
The final breath comes so slow
I know you really have to go
Mum, you scared the hell out of me
But I’m glad you finally came to see
I read the message you never said
You came to say “goodbye”….in my head.

Tony 28/May/2001