Summer 2016 b

i used to be afraid of shadows
I used to be afraid of shadows. Now
I watch you from them. Enveloped
in guilt I see each sigh, each gasp
for breath, your shoulders shake
with grief. I see. I have no choice.
We knew it couldn’t continue, such
passion, fire and need, hollowing
us, leaving us bereft of future. You
knew, you decided, you told me. At
first I laughed, we would find a way,
a plateau, where we would be saved.
We grasped each other. Kissed.
Felt our world ending and beginning.
I think I might have pitied
you then.
In our embrace of life and death,
we brought the cold metal to each
other’s temples and kissed again.
We would rescue each other from
this life.
Now.
You insisted, you persuaded, you
wanted us to be together forever,
to end forever. I gave in, but doubt
gnawed at me as you prepared.
Guns you said. Together. One shot
each. Together forever.
I don’t know where you got them
from. A friend you said. Tonight
you said. Tonight we say goodbye
and live forever. I knew I couldn’t. I
knew you were wrong, but you were
so strong I agreed.
Yes. Together. Forever.
Small signs marked our path, memories
of times before. We arrived,
the clearing dark in the moonlight.
You gave me my gun. You didn’t
notice the change in me.
One shot, one lifeless falling eternity.
It was the only way I could tell
you, to stop you. I thought it
would end it. I was wrong.
I looked at my lifeless body from
the shadows. I saw your scream
of grief and guilt and despair. My
gun never fired, yours did.
You killed me. I let you live. And
now I watch you, dying with your
guilt from the shadows.
Together
For ever
by ScottScott
Flamingo © Gekko Art
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