There is white all around us.
There is pale in your face, and snow
dotting the brightness of your hair.
I no longer feel the cold--only a brush
of ice-feather kisses on my skin.
I wish I were white butterflies, floating around you.
I wish I were snow falling towards you.
There is red all around us.
Blood drips off of your fingers
where they hold me.
Your eyes shine angry, afraid.
Your scar glows crimson.
I wish you were poppies, growing bright in a field.
I wish you were autumn leaves falling towards me.
There is white behind my eyes.
I cannot feel the cold;
I cannot feel your arms around me.
But I still feel you near.
There is red in my memory.
You betrayed me unknowning;
I betrayed you unwilling.
Could there ever have been forgiveness?
Could there ever have been peace?
I wish I had never met you.
I wish I had met you first.
There is white calling me,
a ghost form reaching out in welcome.
I smile and take his hand,
though it hurts to leave you behind.
There is red calling you,
though you don't want to hear it.
You will answer, and answer, and answer,
until the day you leave your sword
and walk out of the dark.
It will take a long time.
ashfae@technicaldetails.org
http://www.ashfae.net