Tragedy

The 15th of December 2004
I met you for the last time
beneath our favorite willow tree
where we once wasted summer days.
This time, however, was not casual.
Something in you was distorted;
it roared with fierce unknown purpose.

I approached rather timidly
while you stared intently past me
as if a fire had devoured the sky.
All you could do was gaze off
at the horrible inferno behind me.
You were so drawn to disaster.

It was then I saw it perfectly clear
in the wrinkles pinching your eyes
beside the smudged mascara.
The vagueness made me certain
this was your last night alive.

In that wretched instant of realization
I saw within you an apocalypse.
I heard babies shrieking above sirens
as you dragged me past the bars and the butchery
to the source of this confusion. Where the Earth
was split jagged and ruthlessly like a wound.
You made me stare down the rupture to the core
where all of your pain culminated and I understood
the raging torment that was your personal hell.

It was then I saw as you did:
A crumbling sky city of stars
emblazoned by the flaming trees
etched along the horizon.

I turned quickly to lose your gaze.