as we fall

mother and son

she held his wrinkled hand
and kissed his
soft new
cheeks

he held her wrinkled hand
and kissed her
cheeks
gone soft with age.

she cradled him against her chest
humming a sweet lullaby
under her breath-softly, as not to wake
him

he cradled her against his chest
humming a sad lullaby
under his breath-softly, as not to wake her.

the hospital ward smelled of clean sheets
and new beginnings
and life

the hospital ward smelled sterile
of tears
desperation
and death.

people stopped to coo
at his brand new face
eyes closed peacefully

people rushed by, never stopping,
heads down

once in a while a mumbled: I'm sorry.
they knew what was coming.

a tear dropped down her cheek as she stared down
at the perfection of her son,
all hers.
love.

a tear dropped down his cheek as he
stared down
at the weakness of his mother,
only his.
even love can't save her now.

he opened his eyes for the first time.

her eyes closed for the last time.

........................
dedicated to skaufman07 for her poopiness. ily.