Speak to me not of love, the words are like lashes. They bring neither comfort nor peace. Eternity shall bear witness, I stand before the universe naked, stripped of false, foolish pride, picked clean of every shred of dignity. What is left to the world, is not a man, but a petulant child. Remorse, my only covering, regret, my constant companion. It has come to this, of my own hand. Neglect, and a blind eye. I knew love once, so very long ago it seems. All that remains is the debris of memory, flashes, and bitter sweet reminders. Etched into the fabric of my heart. Alas, even etchings fade. I stand before my judgement, the knowledge of my crime laid bare. It was I, who unmade my love. Oblivious, arrogant. For this alone I suffer. Four souls, entrusted to my care. Taken, not as blessing, but as burden. I toil beneith the weight of my own ignorance, only in absense is the truth unveiled. I was blessed. Three souls endure. One shrinks, fades, and fails. To this I owe my sorrow. For this, I shall be ever reminded. My punishment, my torment, my heartache is to be forever in the presence of that which I desire most. Unable to grasp it, ever out of reach. My arms, ache for her embrace. The touch of her hand, the warmth of her smile. How many times, I knelt and kissed her feet. Basking in the glory of her love. Giving in to selfish urges, never did I unleash the full extent of my being. In fear of failure, I failed. Wanting more than I could possess, needing more than I could express. Guilt pervades my soul. Within my hand, I held eternity. Rather than chance it's escape, I closed my hand, crushing it. Until now, only the fist remains. Clenched, but empty. Now only winter's chill resides, in those soft brown eyes, where once the warmth of summer lived. Forever I shall look upon her. Never shall she look back. This is my peridition, my pergatory. Forever I shall pay my restitution to love. Never shall the debt be satisfied. Forgiveness shall not be mine. Neither earned, or worthy. Speak to me not of love, for love itself has spoken to me. With a voice like the withering of the world. It's words echo like the spreading of dusk. Nevermore. Nevermore.

Beautiful