stay

 

The moon drags the waves away from shore

And out into the deep blue labyrinth

Before releasing them in reprieve once more

Like the discus flying toward Hyacinth.

A woman walks along the strand

Veil black and death’s black gown

Scrape behind her at the frigid sand

From weary eyes her tears pour down.

I’d like to speak to her a moment

To yell, to plead, to joke, to hear,

Perhaps to ask for some atonement

Or just for silence, to be near

And watch her as she makes her way

Her living presence, to wallow

In her departing life...O, stay!

But she goes where I cannot follow

The days and nights are longer.

The tide is out, the beach alone

And her phantom grows now stronger

I have her love, though she is gone