by M. J. Schlagle

Created on: April 27, 2008

THE GIFT

I will never forget the night they called
and said your time had come.
Your heart had fought a valiant battle,
bravely you faced the setting sun.

From the glass that life had given you,
you sipped each and every drop.
With head held high you touched the sky,
harvesting a shortened seasons crop.

I remember as I drove down that night,
minutes melting faster than miles.

I thought of when we were reunited,
all the laughter, tears and smiles.

It had taken so long to find each other,
brother and sister torn apart.
You always lurked there in the shadows,
holding on to a piece of my heart.

The paths we two had been led down,
were quite abstract, yes indeed.
With eyes wide open we lived our lives,
by two entirely different creeds.

You were forged like steel by the streets,
I was nurtured by scholarly books.
You learned to fight to earn your place,
I was guarded by the shepherds crook.

On the outside you were tough as nails,
but I knew of your softer side.
Locked away, you let it out to play.
Every time we took a ride.

We spoke unfettered and openly,
of our deepest fears and dreams.
We absolved the demons of the past,
scoffing at each others schemes.

I was by your side when the Doctor said,
there was nothing left to do.
You asked of me with heart wide open,
to your wishes please be true.

I tore through red tape with desperate hands,
to give you comfort and respite.
You made me promise I would be there,
when you finally approached the light.

That final summer you met with courage,
as your life withered in the heat.
And with a dignity, we all could see,
you divided the sour from the sweet.

I pulled up to your house that morn,
praying I hadn't arrived to late.
With tortured breath, you warded off death,
as promised you kept our date.

I gently sat down on the edge of bed.
holding your cold hand in mine.
I whispered in your ear, to have no fear.
to approach the light that shines.

Then your eyes were suddenly wide open,
a gift of one last lingering gaze.
You sad goodbye, your last breath a sigh.
I just sat there stunned and amazed.

With wide open eyes little sister you left me,
and I use them my best to see.
Beyond the strife, to the good things in life
Your final gift was a treasure to me.

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