Ode to Gloria

 (A lone voice whispers.)

Even though we sadly parted

Like the Red Sea

Chased by lies of the medical establishment

Incarnations of Pharaoh's guards 

Dressed in white disguise 

But

In this half silence 

Filled with sacred tears

And broken-hearted

With my sweet memories

Apart now forever

In this growing cold

Where memory ghosts 

Roam

As one gets old

I can still see all of you

Looking so beautiful

By that fast-flowing river

In Sacramento 

Walking in peace and serenity

Like the night itself

Effortless

Seductive and so graceful

Even Mother Moon

Seemed to shine even brighter and smile

But all the while

The Dark 

Half hidden out of sight

Cancer

Created by chancers

Worked in secret 

Day and night

To take away 

Bit by bit

By metastasis

My only hope of eternal bliss

And that's why now

All I can do

Is treasure that last memory of you

Walking in daylight 

By that river

In Sacramento

At that site

For it brings me

Salvation and a form of peace

For even though

You're now deceased

My eternal love

For you 

Will never cease

(C)

Copyright John Duffy  

Image shared under fair usage policy via Pinterest.