Till The Shadow of Death Did Us Part
Will de Kypia

Then she saw the train schedule
in my hand and her entreaties
became even more plaintive.

My darling, do not leave me now…

The schedule informed me
that the sole evening express
was departing within the hour.

…nor forget me when I am gone.

Standing beside the louvered window,
still as lovely as she'd been the first time
we met, she coughed another scarlet rosette
onto the bodice of her white velvet gown.

I was already turning away, for
there was a train I wanted to catch.

My farewell was brief and forthright.

Because whither thou goest I
will go too but not yet, not yet.

Then I scuttled off into the night.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Although I never forgot her, never
forgave myself, we will not meet again.

That train I boarded has brought me to
a final destination very far from the place
where innocent cherubim play and true
lovers are reunited forevermore.