A Belated I Love You

A piercing flash of insight crashed—
down! like an anvil on his mind.
Penetrating … conceding his mortality.

Staggering…

Glancing at the blood-soaked ground...
Blood veiled his body...
Her beauty, engraved on his mind—he sighed, "I love you."

I love you.
You are my life ... you thrill my spirit...
Without you I cannot wield this sword,
I cannot utter the battle cry.

Stumbling … languid…

Body and mind fatigued…
Eyes, heavy from the turmoil;
heart, pounding, zealous for life—
smiling—reaching out at her image, he whispered, "I love you."

He crashed to the ground, pleading with his god,
calling out with both mind and spirit;
closing his eyes … consciousness, fading … exhaling, "I love you."

Opening his eyes; there she was;
radiant, like the new day's sunrise.
Determined to live, whispering thanks to his god…
Drawing her close—no more belated I love you...