He Called Her Name Softly

She was losing her husband of forty four years He’d been sick for so long on and off He was wilting away and his body shutting down He was peaceful and ready to go Had thought it all through Had made his peace and settled the score He knew he’d leave behind a widow She’d be crushed but not forever He ensured he was leaving her in good hands Well surrounded among many friends In a warm loving community Where they had built solid roots She knew his strength was fading She dreaded the day that might come When her world would turn upside down She’d have to reconstruct her life As he sometimes slept, her mind would wander His presence was there in every room, every corner The walls resonated with his voice and laughter Whenever she’d look up, she’d see his face Early that one morning he held out his hand Called her name ever so softly, today was the day So hand in hand, as peaceful as could be He let out ever so gently, his one last breath And she kept holding his hand till it was time to let go AP: 3rd place 2021, 3rd place 2021, Honorable Mention 2021 Submitted on July 3, 2018 for CONTEST NUMBER 460 sponsored by BRIAN STRAND and January 8, 2017 for contest IMPRESS ME WITH A NEW POEM sponsored by SKAT A