The sun peaks mischievously through the white puffy clouds cleverly concealing the dark gloom viciously hanging over the ancient hospital building. Passerby's go by oblivious to all that occurs behind those dark though well lit halls. The brave trees still shine bright in pastel colours. Even after witnessing broken souls each day. The fence is freshly painted. Everything today is a new beginning. A little boy runs round a pole chasing after the ball he has had since he was a kid...his sister chases after him with ice cream in her hand. A squirrel sitting on a tree branch nearby squeaks and eyes the ice cream with his beady little eyes. The older sister trips over a well placed stone and the cone falls from her hand. As quick as lightning the squirrel runs past, it's sharp little paws pick up just enough to eat. Up a pipe it goes and finally comes to rest at a window sill, the only one with its blinds open on a bright day like this. The sunlight has crept into the room already lighting up its musky orange walls. The squirrel can see two doctors holding their heads down in dejection as they make their way out of the room. On the white bed sits a grey haired lady softly stroking the hair of a man who is resting with his head on her lap. Snippets of conversation waft out of the open window. The sun was warm and it's belly full. The squirrel lays flat on the sill as if trying to grab all the warmth it can while it's ears unintentionally hear yet another conversation this hospital houses every day. Another one but still not one of. Another one but still different. Another one but still special. The squirrel lazily rubs its nose with its paw and then slowly closes his eyes...

*

Here I give you my heart

something to remember me by

And here I give you my love

to always keep by your side

If you can't sleep in the middle of the night

I give you my whispered words

to caress your cheek

like the wind did your hair

that night you first pressed your lips to mine

-

But no

all I want is your hand

your hand held fast in mine

and your fleeting laughter by my side

to lead me where I want to go

to lead us to the light

-

Here 

take the memories we made

fresh from the bee's hive

but no, don't ask

for what you know I can't give

my hand belongs to the skies

perhaps we'll meet again somewhere

somewhere between the clouds

till then you keep  my love with you

like a soft dove's feather

to rest your head on

when it rains and you want me by your side

-

Give me your hand, your hand so warm in mine

-

Listen to me love

you have to understand

Everything will be alright

Here take the shawl I made for you

to keep you warm on lonely nights

when you can breathe it in

and picture me sitting on our couch

knitting it

and the night won't feel so lonely anymore

-

Give me your hand, your hand so warm in mine

let me take you away from here

far away

under the summer skies

between the swaying lavenders 

where you always wanted to go

we'll go to the lake where we met

and race our boats again

give me your hand

let's go home

between those pastels walls we'll breathe forever

dancing on cushions

in front of the bookshelves 

forever

let me take you home

away from this place we call the healing world

-

Please don't break my heart with those silent cries

for then

I will have lost

the one thing I had left to give

My hands will soon turn cold as ice

and you can't take me home this time

-

But when...

-

Not this time love

it has to be angels

the angels to lead the way

So here 

take my tearful kiss

to wipe away those precious tears

-

Give me your hand, your hand so warm in mine

-

Promise me that when they take me away

you will be strong 

for my sake

and bottle any precious tears that you shed

for they shouldn't go in vain

Please don't crumble under the very love

whose welcome weight

once kept us safe

When they take me away

My kiss will be cold 

and my eyes won't see a thing

but I want you to know that

that person lying still

that person won't be me

-

No

No don't talk like this

Just give me your hand

-

When they take me away

I want you to know

That I will already be long gone

Up into the blue sky

amidst the soaring clouds

And you will know that I am smiling down at you

When the sky turns pink

beneath your nostalgic gaze

-

Just give me your hand, Your hand so warm in mine

-

When the angels come

And take my hand

You won't see me go

But I'll whisper your name one last time

so that it echoes in the forever well

and make that smile light up those eyes

those eyes that still make me melt

-

Give me your hand, Your hand so warm in mine

-

I want you to remember me

as the freedom waiting in the clouds

For one day...

The angels will come down for you

And when you lift your head this time

You won't just see a plain pink sky

But me bathing in the hue

Holding out my hand

Finally ready to give you,

what you are asking for today

-

But why not today?

When hours remain till midnight?

Why not today?

When we can still get away

Why not today?

When the glass slipper has not yet broken

When we are still living the unending dream

Why not today?

-

Not today

The glass slipper is on the edge

and the hourglass is running dry

So listen to me love

I will be there

holding out my hand,

But don't be ashamed-

I know you won't take it at once

You'll think about how I was long gone

how I had left nothing behind but a broken heart 

living in a distant sky

But when you'll see me smile down at you

All your doubts will melt away

You'll finally know the voice echoing in the forever well

for mine

With half a smile gracing your lips

You'll know me for me

And with that

You'll soar through the coral sky

and make your way up to the clouds

*

The squirrel on the sill did not see not green line fall flat nor did he hear the shrill ominous beep of the monitor. But he saw the nurses and doctors rush in. And heard the man's muffled cries through the open window. The sunlight was gone. Disturbed by the sudden commotion, the squirrel stretched out his tail and slunk off ,back down the pipe. Perhaps the ice cream was still lying there on the ground.