I watch in silence as she tugs the sheet,

speaking words that make no sense.

She doesn't know I'm watching her,

my focus so intense.

She kicks her feet and growl's a 'No!',

to something she obviously wants to go.

Then I hear my name, my concentration broken

but can make no sense of the rest that's spoken.

I touch her arm and she jerks in fright

and I kiss her head and tell her it's all right,

yet she whispers, 'They don't want me.",

and moves her face down out of sight.

I reassure and stroke her hair,

telling her how much I care,

that there is no 'they', just she and I

but the words fall short, she begins to cry,

'Nobody wants me', a sorrowful sigh and then, "I just want to die."

My mouth gone dry, my voice is lost.

What can I do? I'll pay the cost.

Just let her be a little stronger,

let me have her a little longer

to hold and tell how much I love her. Postpone fate's insistent robber.

I hold her tight, she looks confused.

My eyes grow wet, she seems amused.

She says my name in her voice from the past

and says, 'I can't remember when we did this last'.

I smile in spite of flowing tears... and for the rest of the night

I hold her fast.