A Final Kiss

Across his bare chest, her hair

Spread out like a sparrow’s wing

One arm tucked against his side

The other wrapped around his stomach

Her legs entwined with his

His hand lay at the small of her back

The other rested on her elbow

He sighed and watched her sleeping face

The lips that had made love so willingly

Lay soft and slightly parted

The flickering beneath the eyelids

Meant she was dreaming

His eyes traced the curve of her cheek

The line of her neck

To the curve of her bosom

Which not but a few hours before

Had bloomed for his trembling hands

His breathing matched hers now

And as he watched, sadness stole his heart

It must end

He drew the sheet around her shoulders

It must end

Her eyes fluttered open, gazed up into his

A kiss so clean and pure left her lips

And she too knew it must end