Sunday, March 8, 2015

A Promise Made

when first we met
our age the same
a young trainee
I sensed your grace

your symptoms new
myself inept
and soon the word
from others came

leukemia
is what they said
a dreaded fate
for one so young

the drugs instilled
a toxic mix
and soon your life
began to fail

from handsome youth
to swollen corpse
and through it all
your courage held

your pretty wife
was at your side
and through her tears
her love expressed

and for my part
a promise made
to face my death
as you had done

now decades hence
the memory fresh
your battle still
a source of strength