I was there when
you bent over and clawed at your throat,
secrets clasped tightly against your heart
and they slipped away, like water
through your finger cracks
and you choked to death.
I think you smiled at me,
and I could see your eyes through your lashes
taking one last strangled breath
and falling silent, still.
(I followed him, minutes after,
and death gathered us up into his arms
and walked away.)
