The Night Before the Crusade: Tarva
This is the end. I have told you,
made you believe this bitter-salt truth;
it is the end we face tomorrow. And yet
you sleep so calmly. In the moonlight
your lips (they have touched me
only three times, and each time
with more of your heart's weight)
curve softly.
.
Perhaps you wander far away
dreamwalker
to dream of a future we can share. I wish
I could join you there. I can
only watch its clouds
drift across your sleep.
.
Perhaps you dream instead
that we can win. Our rebellion will succeed,
be forgiven by the god of death. Why fear?
you believe he has no power. You closed your eyes
so long ago
and I wait for them to open.
.
Perhaps you only remember moments
in that gleaming silver shard
of time, caught
between the night you woke me to love
and tonight when I hurt you
with the truth.
.
I know
no sharper weapon
no deeper wound.
.
I wish I had words to shape
you, Gann, to show you the quicksilver
and moonlight of your hair. You look
a dream that fades on waking,
as frail. I know your strength. My heart
aches to remember. You, too will be lost
destroyed.
.
I will keep vigil over you. I will
carry the memory and heavy truth
.
my love
a few hours yet before the end.