SatJaDham is proud to present an installment of our series of "Poetry:a soft voice from a (gentle) hear":


Her Last Gift...
by Chittraphone Pom Outama
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If only I could
Lift you up
Make you walk with me
Set you free
I would
You know I would

It breaks my heart 
You see
To  be called upon your death bed
To witness your struggle for life
To smile
To comfort you
When I am the one
Needing strength
Courage and faith

Never once
I saw you weep
Not once
I saw you cry
"I have lived
And lived well"
You said
"For this life
Yes I will
I will die
For this love
I will give my all"
"But..." I said
You bat your tired eyes
Condemning me to silence
"But" you began
"Before I go
Know that
I have lived my life
The best I knew 
For the ones I love
Through whom
I breathed
Laughed
Cried
I gave all I could
Complained little
Asked nothing
For myself
Decided but once
And failed
Yes, I failed...
Promise me
Promise you'll live freely
For yourself...
Now I must go"

Calmly
You close your eyes
Smiling half a smile
Twisted by pain and suffering
Reliving obligations
Only known by you
Remembering now
That tragic night
When you succumbed

Once more
You gave yourself
He took your innocence
Drained your life
You asked no question
Left with nothing

I don't understand
You see
I don't know
If it was AIDS that took your life
Or his selfish escape
That sucked out your youth

You gave
And you gave well
Never done much 
For yourself

Yes, I promise
I promise to see you off
My dear friend
In that red dress
You bought for yourself
But never dared to wear
Never dared to stand out
Never wanted to be one
Only one that gave
Selfless
Now set free...

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