So long have I loved you;
My affection continually growing,
Un-confessed.
Yet in these, your final days, I feel that love flourish;
Lunging toward your own heart.
It is a love felt deep within,
As our eyes make contact.
I reach out to take your hand;
Readying for the day's farewell.
With that simple touch
Silent waves of bittersweet joy
Crash over me;
Threatening to drown my mind.
Through it, though, I feel your grip;
As though a silent plea.
Again, my heart leaps
And I am immobilized by yearning.
While my hand remains in yours,
Haltingly, with the utmost apprehension,
I brush my thumb against your skin.
I can sense a quiet
Pouring-out of the soul taking place
In this still and secret moment.
There is an understanding;
Unvoiced, though it may be.
As my hand leaves the embrace of yours,
And I turn to leave,
I feel a piece of my heart remain with you.
Author's note: In memory of Tony; 1982-10-17 to 2014-06-17 (Poem written in 2014)
