Villanelle of the Endgame

She said she didn’t want to die

Lying in the bedroom’s faded light;

Painfully, I tried my best not to cry,

Simply asked myself the question ‘Why?’

As she began to lose her sight.

She said she didn’t want to die.

I listened to her muffled sigh.

Sensing the panic and the fright

Painfully, I tried my best not to cry.

Soon, I knew, I’d have to say good -bye

As she slipped into that good night.

She said she didn’t want to die;

But knew her final end was nigh,

Her hands were cold,her skin white.

Painfully, I tried my best not to cry.

This life-time knot I’d soon untie;

Words alone sound vague and trite

She said she didn’t want to die.

Painfully, I tried my best not to cry I

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