DEATH

The wind was howling, the thunder was loud

Like incessant drums beating a wild march.

Sudden flashes of light lit up the lonely hillside.

 

Low, gasping moans echoed hollowly in the crumbling hut.

The dim lamp threw its cruel light

Over a wrinkled face distorted with pain.

 

Silvery drops shone on a pale brow.

The hollow cheeks, the sunken eyes,

were only dark pools in the aged countenance.

A fit of agony shook the weak powerless body.

 

The silent figure of a lone young woman

bent over the weak form.

She clutched at narrow old shoulders

As though she strained to fill her own strength

In the dying man

Through that desperate grip.

 

Her dark eyes fixed on the lean face

Her brows knit in helpless concentration,

Her lips pursed in determination,

‘You shall not die. I wont let you!’

her whole being seemed to cry out

in that merciless night.

 

A shudder ran through the dying body.

The old pain filled eyes rest wide and blue

On the young face,

In a sudden wild brilliance.

 

Their gaze became stony.

The body went limp in those brave arms.

The lamp flickered and went out

Leaving behind it

the darkness of Death!