Vigilant, I watched you sleep,
your face untroubled,
unwrinkled by harsh,
corrugating conscious time.
Did dreams of comforts
or of losses once
bring smiles,
grimaces?
Free from worldly worries,
you're innocent once more.
I have no "faith" --
but, through tears, I
see you rest easy.
No more awakings:
long deep death
is endless.
She was crouched
semi collapsed
no one could touch her
a fire of dignity
would raise from her feet
to lift the line of her chin
determination etches new lines
worry brought
the sweat pig headed pain
corrugating furrows
soldiering on
striking and slashing
at every obstacle
till time had no mind
for her pride
and the spectre
that dogged every fall
every twitch
each scrap of scoundrel death
then her eyes fired
when her body could not
her spirit never diminished
even as she jumped up
to brush poppies in heaven
radiant inscrutability
she was ready
for the next campaign
and leapt
—-
dignity made wings
that now,
soar the stars
in one breath
liberation
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