She walked where angels feared to tread,
A wraithlinke presence by my side;
She left destruction in her stead
And when she thought I slept, she cried.
Her hand in mine was always cold
As though she knew the end was near,
And in her eyes so early old
I never saw a spark of fear.
I wonder, had I known that day
Requests made simple held such pain,
I wonder if to walk away
And disappear into the rain
Would save the heartache I now feel
As memories struggle to return.
I push them down, they make me reel
And my dry eyes can't help but burn.
She said "Please take me" with a smile,
"Please take me somewhere far from here."
With every dark and silent mile
Her honest message rang so clear.
"Please take me," with a steady voice;
A plea for help from years of black;
"Please take me," she had made her choice;
"Please take me, I'm not going back."
Her gentle voice rang soft and clear;
She was so shocked at my applause.
She knew I was the first to hear;
The first and last to hear because
Just as the song she held so dear
Her thoughts were clear at the refrain:
"Please take me somewhere far from here."
"Please take me, I can't stand the pain."
With willing feet she walked the road,
The only choice she ever had;
I never thought to share her load
Or why her smiles were always sad.
I would not take her had I known,
To buried dreams 'neath starlit sky;
I would not let her walk alone,
I would not have to watch her die.
She told me even as she died
She'd found her happiness at last,
And though I know she never lied
Our time had come and gone too fast.
She loved me then, I love her still.
I whisper out into the rain
That beats upon my windowsill,
"Please take me, I can't stand the pain."