The Darkness of My Soul
By Linda Schwartz

My fingers trace the outline of the symbols on the marker. Tears spill from my eyes as I sit by your grave, I close my eyes. I can feel the breeze touch my face, I can hear the leaves blowing in the wind. The sunlight shines on my body, but it's warmth I can not feel. I think that if I hold onto my last memory of you that maybe this will disappear that this nightmare will end. I open my eyes, hoping to see your face again, feeling your hands as they touch me, hold me. Hearing the sound of your voice, the sweet sound of "I love you." I yearn to hear it. All I can see now is the marker that brings the cold reality to my senses. How will I go on without you? Life suddenly has stopped for me, time has stopped for me. A cold emptiness fills my body, will this pain ever go away? I have no answers, I scream to the heavens WHY?

I realize it is the nature of things, a time to live, a time to die. But is anyone really ready for the final moment?

I slowly rise, I realize I have to go on. It is what you would have wanted. I let out a sigh and continue the Journey of a thousand miles. ......alone.