I gaze down
upon her
struck with fear
as the light and sparkle
retreats from her eyes
to cower
deep inside.

My quivering hands
attempt desperately
to force it
back to the surface
only to break ribs.

She fades further

into the abyss
of the unknown
where her life
is just a fragile
photon
growing dimmer
and farther from my grasp.

my hands and forearms steady,
hammering rhythmically
in a synthetic heartbeat-
just enough
to keep
her ember glowing.

A small breath
carrying the wind of life
ignites the flame
and with a twitch of
a limb

vitality rushes back to fill her eyes.
A gargling cough
expels the foaming water
from her lungs.

I look down
at her ashen face;
see her horror become mine
as her eyes become a gateway
to the chasm
where she was nearly lost.

I felt the frozen terror
as I peered into the damp house
of Death
and grappled with the vice
of his reluctant hold.

I have seen the house of the Reaper.
When silent nights come
Of restless repose

   I return to his endless dwelling
                         to live there in my dreams