Gone

Your hands wrapped around me

Burning my skin with fevered softness 

Your nails dug into my flesh 

With trembling lips, cold and blue, 

You called out to me 

Your voice was cracked and broken 

I could hardly hear a word you said

A minute more I begged 

A minute more to hold you 

To listen to your laughter 

And to embrace your sweetness 

But time refused to slow 

Even for you

With every second, every tear,

I knew there was little I could do 

Your strength faded with each shaky breath

Your eyes were glossy and far away 

They had a haze I recognized all too well

You whispered something with your eyes staring up at the moon

The dimness of the alleyway made it hard to see 

But I swear I saw your smiling 

Before your expression faded into the distance

And your hands slipped down my back and to your sides 

I never heard your voice again