footprints march the sand as you did
though the memory now fades
as the ocean tide washes them away

and when the sun settles for the night to come
i watch the infinite stars circle eternity around my head

i remember you traced them with a finger
interconnecting constellations and regaling me with stories
of how they first appeared, and how they remained so,
burning, reflecting in your eyes.

wonder that wandered from tangent to tangent,
lost in your thoughts like a tangle of refined webs,
knowing in your heart that they all led back to something

significant.

your lips moved with the grace of one who appreciated
the taste of words, big or small, savoring every syllable,
feasting on the pronunciation.

i would watch as you ate, listening intently.

sentences inflamed with passion dripping from your tongue
like honey.

there would be a smile on your lips
but it would be weak and brief
as if the muscles did not have enough practice

as if you did not have the strength to feel happy

even when i last held you
your breath shuddered like it left your lungs in fear
and your goodbye shook loose from your throat
in tear-choked sobs

you looked to me and said
“love like everything will end,
today, tomorrow, or someday soon,
i’ll love you always
like the sun loves the moon.”

sickness stole you
like a thief in the dark
took your mind and then it took your heart

it took my everything
not to fall apart