Eighteen Yellow Roses

The lid closed with a tremendous clang
I jumped, startled at my reflection-
Pallid-white cheeks with frightened eyes
a face I did not recognize.

The casket lowered into the cold, hard ground
muttered voices echoed all around,
caring hands swallowed me.
My soul took off in flight or fright --
         I do not know which.

In a swirling tunnel, I walked the house
Deafening silence suffocated me -- I collapsed.
My eyes awakened to a strange reality,
My life was forever altered, stranded from my baby.

Crying out, I implore him to show
One last look -- a lingering touch.
Come now and lighten my woes.

I stare into the vastness of space
the space of emptiness,
the space of aloneness.
eager to see his face.
         He does not show

I fall into a fretful sleep and
in this state, I dream.

My baby is there with his arm extended,
with a cock of his head and
a smile on his lips, he reaches out to me
and gently places something in my hand.
         What exactly I could not see.

Darling, I miss you. My love is always with you.
Just like our love, these will always last.

I awoke to something pricking my arm
Turning toward the wall,
I see what brought me harm.
Looking down, lying right beside me
are the most gorgeous roses I ever saw!
The note in front reads,

"Eighteen yellow roses arrived today,
to mark the tender age I took you away.
You are my life. In my heart, you'll always stay."

(40 lines)