in the black, eternal night
I wonder what might have been

had fate not gulped us whole

what roads would have called us on
what waves swept us off to other lands
what mountains would have echoed with our joy
what babies cooed, what friends cajoled
what rainbows would have blessed our dreams

had fate not gulped us whole

and yet
as I hold her hand so soft and still
I know the peace
of a life lived
however briefly

together

tio stib