Within his arms he held her tight,
as if to guard her from the night.
The wind he often loved to chase,
wailed cold and lonely, so out of place.
"Babe, I'm here, you'll be ok,
they've called for help, they're on the way."
As she squeezed his hand, he heard a groan,
he felt a fear he'd never known.
If only he had seen that car,
left five minutes sooner, from the bar.
In a frail voice, she called his name,
"It's not your fault you're not to blame."
He looked at her, began to cry,
then gazed upon a misty sky.
"God, please, if it must be,
spare her life, please God, take me."
She squeezed and called his name again,
smiled as she said to him.
"I've never loved, a love so true,
always keep my vows with you."
"Hold my hand and walk with me,
forever as one, shall we be."
"If part we must, I pray that thee,
hold my hand eternally."
Recalled her vows that day they wed,
he heard the siren and turned his head.
"I remember babe, now please don't talk,
there's always time to take that walk."
Within his arms he held her tight,
she loved to greet the morning light.
A medic kneeling close to her,
with tears had said, "I'm sorry sir."
"It's ok fellas, we had a talk,
my wife's gone ahead, she's taken a walk."
"I held her hand as she asked me too,
as we vowed we'd always do."

Thirty years later, a grizzled old man,
left five minutes later, than he had planned.
He had to get home, he's never been late,
same night, every year, on this very date.
Thirty years he hadn't let go,
"I've kept my word, for I love you so."
He hit the throttle, didn't have far,
if only he had seen that car.
Got to his feet, landed in dirt,
couldn't believe he hadn't been hurt.
Already a crowd had gathered around,
he could see a man laying on the ground.
Someone within the group had said,
"Didn't stand a chance, damn car ran a red."
"There's his bike, wrapped 'round that tree,"
the ol' man turned his head to see.
Looked once and did a double take,
"Hey brother, you've made a big mistake."
"That bike you said's wrapped 'round that tree,
that there bike belongs to me."
"Bought that scoot brand spankin' new,
are you deaf son, I'm talkin' to you."
The kid turned away, let out a sigh,
"That's a lousy way for a man to die."
The ol' man shook his head and swore,
when came a sound, heard once before.
The wind wailed cold, lonely, so out of place,
it was then he saw the dead man's face.
Once again, he came to know,
A fear he felt so long ago.
He gazed upon a misty sky,
"Why tonight Lord, tell me why."
Into the heavens, the ol' man stared,
thinking God hadn't cared.
"Tonight I had to keep a date,
just one more day, couldn't this wait."
Each year he tried to make it right,
felt he let her down tonight.
"Forgive me for I had no choice,"
when from above came a familiar voice...."
"Hold my hand and walk with me,
forever as one, shall we be."
"if part we must, I pray that thee,
hold my hand eternally."

By Larry, The Ironhorse Writer

See this poem and more of Larry's outstanding work at The Ironhorse Writer

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