The Flower of Life

I saw you holding a flower
by a grave, in grey morning rain
hiding the tears flowing free

grass trodden to mud
mirrored the dim light
I took your hand in mine

your eyes looked through me
I beheld emptiness
in that vacant stare

you saw a different world
where love lay in your arms
not in the earth

you trembled, cold and wet
and tossed the flower, wilting
to the sodden ground

I squeezed your hand
and saw your eyes again
tears drying as the sun burst
through parting clouds

the light return to your face
in understanding of the circle
of life and death
of love and separation

you kissed me, salty
running your fingers
across my face, tender

I loved you then
as I do now
and always will

but I cannot remain
for the light beckons me
and I must go

but will meet again
in love’s glory

I watched you turn and leave
with one final look
before I surrendered to the light.