If only for a moment

I touched you gently
in the light of
a dwindling flame
Softly stroking your
shoulder
And whispering
your name
Soothing the pain
away
If only for
a moment

I looked in your
dark pained eyes
And smiled gently
Sweeping away
the agony
of cruel memories
I cried
when you did
And took away
the suffering
If only for
a moment

I loved you
unconditionally
Trying to make you
feel whole again
I lay with you
my arms
protecting you
And saw you sleep
peacefully at last
And I was happy
to see you
at rest
If only for
a moment

I lived your life
and you, mine
And we discovered
new life together
We were like
adolescents in
the discovery of
living
Loving each moment
as if there
was no more
And you were
joyful
If only for
a moment

I watched you grow
like a young eagle
And saw you eager
to renew the fight
There was fight in
your thoughts
And new confidence
in your heart
And you were ready
to begin
a new life
And I was happy
If only for
a moment

Strengthened and
full of new hope
I lost my place
Your world was
no longer mine
I was gladdened
And saddened
Because now
my nurturing
was a burden
But our love
was like no other
If only for
a moment

Copyright ©
January 9, 1999
Michael David Coffey