Disclaimer: I don't own Trek. I don't own Voyager. I don't own Janeway *sighs sadly*. I don't even own the peach rose.
WARNING: Poetry! If it brings you out in hives- don't read it. Simple as.
Enjoy.
They all came, every one.
They all came to say goodbye.
They all came to share their stories,
They came to remember:
Friend,
Woman,
Captain.
Murmured memories.
Stories shared.
Friends discuss, colleagues mutter,
Hissed accounts of Her life.
They call Her kind.
They call Her brave.
Headstrong, determined,
"Unique, beautiful shining star."
She would disagree.
Kind, yes. Brave, no doubt.
Never stood centre-stage, only centre-bridge.
Preferred the wings.
"No fuss please..."
They remember Her stance,
Her presence,
The Dreaded Glare.
I remember Her smile.
Her laugh.
The subtle twinkle, quiet spark in Her eyes.
The day She lost it, the day She got us home.
The day the journey ended.
The day Her future dissolved.
Her soul died with our coming home.
Met by hollow jubilations,
Posed celebrations.
Empty sympathies.
Those few weeks were Her last great show,
Done for each of them.
Each of us.
She sleeps in peace,
The end came quick.
No pain, no suffering.
Not that She would have admitted it.
She always put them first,
It cost Her everything.
And it cost them Her.
It has cost me Her.
But She wouldn't have it any other way.
She is proud to see them here.
I imagine Her beside me,
Dress uniform,
Hair immaculate.
Lopsided smirk.
Knowing that the Brass turned out.
"I finally got them away from their desks..."
She came to me last night.
She came to me to say goodbye.
Her twinkle was back,
She looked alive.
She had died three days before.
But She wouldn't let that stop Her.
Closed casket.
A single peach rose.
Nothing unnecessary.
Only as much as is needed.
Lowered down in silence.
Starfleet salutes from the officials.
Hands over their hearts from Her crew.
We know which ones She values more.
I let the flower fall on top.
My final gift.
They are all here for Her.
They are Her legacy.
She smiles beside me as she regards every one.
Happy to see them here.
Sad to see them cry.
A single tear runs down her cheek,
I want to reach to brush it away.
To offer the solace I know she needs.
But I can't touch her.
They all came, every one.
They all came to say goodbye.
They all came to share their stories,
They will remember:
The Friend,
Woman,
Captain.
"They all came..."
"Yes. And they will remember You."
They Will Remember.
I will remember the woman I will always love.
We Will Remember:
Kathryn.
Please review.