Falling Stars

53

Dear Beatrice

Darling, dearest, dead.

My love for you shall live forever, you, however, did not.

I would much prefer it if you were alive and well.

My love flew like a butterfly
Until death swooped down like a bat
As the poet Emma Montana McElroy said
'That's the end of that'

You will always be in my mind, in my heart, and in your grave.

When we met my life began. Soon afterwards, yours ended.

When we were together I felt breathless. Now you are.

Summer without you is as cold as winter. Winter without you is even colder.

Our love broke my heart, and stopped yours

When we first met, you were pretty and I was lonely. Now I am pretty lonely

Dead women tell no tales. Sad men write them down.

No one can extinguish my love, or your house

I cherished, you perished. The world's been nightmarished

We are like boats passing in the night- particularly you