Photo by Kevin Gent on Unsplash

Love Until Death

Mamma says to him, “She needs blood.”
Pacing on stocky, short legs,
he looks for answers
to the puzzle’s question.

What have I to give?

For a petal, he gave her tulips,
exchanged crowns of flowers
for dirt, rocks, and chicken bones.

He watched the daisy breeze
curl around her fledgling fingers
in grass rings and farmer vows.

Mamma asks, “What’s your answer?”
He holds out his hand, once
ringed in pretty weeds,
and smiles in reply.

I give her blood to live.

On the white table,
Mamma asks, “How do you feel?”
He replies: “How long till I die?”

© Abby Jewett 2019