In the end, it was rough.

A restless night of pains and demons

Visited us, though only your eyes

Could see what they were after.

And you fought gallantly enough

Warding off with wails and screams

What I now realize 

May have been angels too soon. Their laughter

May have seemed too loud that day.

May have drowned out your loved ones’

Memories, our hold on you slipping away.

But then you quieted, became at peace then,

No longer speaking in other tongues, so when

I said good night you said so clear to me

“Good night, sweetheart,” in a voice so strong.

It’s been a long

Time since I remembered that night.

But when the time came

You paused the fight

Grasped my hand

Rested your eyes above

The horizon.  I understand 

now the love

And calm that rested upon your face

When the time came

With grace.