Lya


I found you upon a bed of roses

And you looked almost sleeping

The roses bathed the room in sweetly scent

That I almost missed the other stench


I had not seen you in so long

Startled was I to see not the girl I knew

But when I found myself beside the bed

I recognized my sister's face, only paler


Your feeble voice woke me from my reverie

And called my name so pleadingly

I felt my heart crack into pieces

As I grasped a perspiring hand


Then we both wept as I cradled your head

And listened to your last request

You looked almost sleeping in my arms

Sweet child, it was far too early