The fic is officially over. Big thanks to everyone who took the time out to review - I appreciate it more than words can say. This last chapter is just to write the poems down in a continuous form. In the story, the verses are broken up and that somewhat detracts from the overall effect. This way, everyone can read the poems properly and understand the sheer genius of Seth. (I love this man completely. If ever anyone gets the chance, you have to try his book 'The Golden Gate'. An entire novel in verse. ..This man is my hero!) Roku Kyu, you have no idea what it meant to me to have you review. Thank you so much. I'll work on the grammar. Azure Angel Venus, you really keep me going. When I was considering giving up on 'It's not fair', yours was one of the reviews that changed my mind. Thank you for that (Although not everyone else may want to thank you for making me continue... but now I can't stop! Mahahahaah!) Anyway, thank you all.

Disclaimer: - The poem 'Soon' is the property of Vikram Seth. The poem 'Holding on' is my own property. Trying to plagiarize either will land you in a place with a very hot climate... and I don't mean the Bahamas.

The poems.

Soon. (Vikram Seth)

I shall die soon, I know.

This thing is in my blood.

It will not let me go.

It saps my cells for food.

It soaks my nights in sweat

And breaks my days in pain.

No hand or drug can treat

These limbs for love or gain.

Love was the strange first cause

That bred grief in its seed,

And gain knew its own laws -

To fix its place and breed.

He whom I love, Thank God,

Won't speak of hope or cure.

It would not do me good.

He sees that I am sure.

He knows what I have read

And will not bring me lies.

He sees that I am dead.

I read it in his eyes.

How am I to go on -

How will I bear this taste,

My throat cased in white spawn -

These hands that shake and waste?

Stay by my steel ward bed

And hold me where I lie.

Love me when I am dead

And do not let me die.

Holding on. (S. S. N.)

I'm sitting on my bed.

My pills are by my side.

I'm thinking I am dead -

The truth no longer hides.

This life is but a dread

That I don't want to take.

There's nothing to be said.

I shudder till I break.

For me there is no hope

In life's unceasing hours.

I'm leaving you to cope -

Cement and scattered flowers.

You say that you can save me.

I say you've tried enough.

You say that more can come to be.

But the effort's just too tough.

You want me to be free,

And someday I'll be gone.

But now you're holding me,

And I'm barely holding on.