Protection

"Were you close?"
I hate the question.
What do you mean?
Implying that I mourn
For a man I never knew.
Yes, we were close -
You have no idea
The words, the love that
Hung in the air
Like many gossamer cobwebs
Unspoken, but reflecting
The sunlight.

"Life is precious"
Yeah, I figured that
Long before you were conscious
Long before you
Dared to think.
You, who did not care for it.
You, who wanted to throw it away.
Don't quote to me
Words that are too big
For your brain
Squeezing out sideways
Through the revolving door
Of your mouth.

Death?
What Death?
What do you mean,
He still stalks the world
Still takes the onesI love?
What right has He?
What right have I?
My love, I cry.
Let my love protect
You and I
From the stalkings
The ominous mutterings
As Death, hears the ticking clock
Of my precious
Closely held
Life.

April 22, 2008