Eidetic

Electricity sparked behind the thunderheads heaped upon the horizon;

but my attention was elsewhere.

You slept curled up cat-like in the seat beside me

as the CD I hummed all summer sang softly from the stereo.

I parked in front of your house.

I didn't have the heart to wake you; you were so tranquil.

The thought of anything unpleasant happening to you seemed, at that moment,

to embody all that was unjust. That someone as open and trusting as yourself

should have to endure misfortune seemed grossly unbelievable,

and I realized I would do literally anything in my power at that moment

to prevent you from ever feeling sadness again.

However, I knew my impotence in this matter, and my throat constricted,

becoming desiccated as moisture migrated to my eyes.

And I had to wake you, I had to bring you back to this dirty world.

There was nothing I could do to keep you from sadness,

even while you were next to me.

Now that you've gone there is even less that I can do,

but God knows I still would.