When the day lay dying
You reminded me 
'This will not last forever'

Your breath on that frozen evening 
Sighs misting out to form clouds
Giving form to your words

You touched my hair from my face
As water droplets froze into shapes
Set by an easterly wind

I was breathless
Lost in a grief that lifted and hid me
In a dark, shadowed place

'You are safe' whispered your wisdom
Echoed by arms around me
Striving to give warmth

Both alone and not alone
The contradiction of weeping at loss
The first and the last moment
Forgive me