Winter's Afterglow

stars twinkled brilliantly against majestic snow-capped mountains, delicate pure white flakes danced; swirling, twirling, rhythmically. she stood, nose pressed tightly against the window pane; gazing in awe at the magic the snowflakes created; as tears spill from her emerald green eyes. the cabin is warm, radiating a comforting glow a fresh pine scent lightly sweetens the air; she fights the memories, as she begins to shake. fingers entwined, she tries desperately to hang on be present in the moment; "stop, stop, stop" she says, stomping her feet; she falls to her knees; quivering. she holds tightly her arms and begins to rock, feeling his presence in his favourite black sweater; she cannot bring herself to take off. giggling sounds permeate her thoughts cocooned in his aura, his essence, his scent; she feels his lips kiss the nape of her neck, his strong hands caressing her hair. she rocks and rocks, time ceases to stop, as she falls deep into a rich moulton pool; his smouldering brown eyes. her lips part; barely into a smile at his joy when he surprised her with the cabin; their oasis away from home. she wipes away a tear, beams from within as she recalls the snowball fight, he lost, she won. he scooped her up, carried her with glee, over the thresh hold of their cabin; their oasis; their heart's retreat. a decadent white rug bought just for her lay invitingly in front of the fire, fiery orange embers crackled and glowed. he gently laid her down; "my beauty" he said. they drank champagne, drunk in each other, wrapped up in his care, she felt peace. as they lay basking in winter's afterglow, he whispered "this is my time, i must go". startled, she sat up, staring deep in his soul, as snowflakes twirled and danced, fresh pine lightly sweetened the air; he breathed one final breath; then he let go. her screams were not audible, her body convulsed as she lay on his chest; her heart; her home. she cursed the night and winter's afterglow sobbing "not him, not him, please take me too". she fights to bring herself back to the here and the now, as embers slowly dim, she wobbily stands clutching tenderly his urn, she must set him free. the stars twinkled brilliantly against majestic snow-capped mountains she opens the window, where dreams breathed of life; with tears cascading she releases her love; her life; to become one with the magic of; winter's afterglow.