Requiem of Rot

When I grew I took a walk,

T'was long I might have thought

Though all of which occurred

Is but the requiem of rot.

The pass that lies ahead

Obscures the world behind

And I caress a delicate door nob

That's been turned a thousand times.

The aching hinges creak

Soft light flickers though my hair

And in the corner of the room

Is a figure, lurking there.

At first my words escape me

Heartbeat still against my chest

The darkness fogged by candlelight

My memory repressed.

A veil of moonlight shrouds his face

Hands stretch shadows on the wall

A worn cloak floating at his heels

Eternally enthralled.

Whispers creep about my collar

Urging me to speak

So that he might hear my voice

Despite it’s withered bleak.

I part my chilled, and cracking lips

Tasting a bluing fingertip

Exhale a breeze torn breath

And listen to my tongue confess

“I’ve feared you all my life.”

He grasps my glassy eyes

Lifting my leaded lids

He draws in closer

Veins run colder

He says

"I’ve loved you all of time”.

Finding my head shaking

I profess this as a lie

For who could wish for me

As this, so empty and deprived.

The air around me stirs

Only by his drifting shade

Shriveled lungs within my chest

held by a brittle cage.

The single flame is drawing short

It’s wick a charcoal black

Mounted by a creamy pillar

Dripping deceptively hot wax.

“In the end you called for me

As I touched a rose flushed cheek

The color drained as did your pain

Your soul finally released.”