Reprieve
Copyright (c) 1991, J. Harlan Pine
All rights reserved




                            Reprieve
              (An answer to The Slashing by Anon.)


                      Two drops
                         one clear as crystal
                         the other crimson red
                      Slowly falling

                      Pain
                         leaking out her wrist
                         agony
                      Leaking out her eyes

                      "I'm sorry," she whispers
                         as tear drop and blood
                         fall
                      Simultaneously

                      "I'm so sorry," she sighs
                         the pain in her eyes
                         overwhelming him
                      Cutting deeper than the razor

                      "No!!"
                         he shouts again
                         and blinks
                      The drops are gone

                      Arm held out
                         wrist bare
                         hand squeezed
                      In a tight ball

                      Cold smile
                         gone from her lips
                         other arm rising
                      Silver glinting in the light

                      Helplessly
                         he watches
                         a line of death
                      Descend

                      To hover
                         slowly drawn
                         across her lovely
                      Frail wrist

                      Again it happens
                         veins slashed
                         blood welling
                      Beads along the gash

                      "No," he cries
                         softly
                         by her side
                      Stopping her
                        
                      The razor continues
                         its fall
                         clattering
                      On the gray, concrete floor

                      Wrist untouched
                         arms encircling
                         despair
                      Finds comfort

                      Flashback
                         his tear, and hers
                         fall
                      Simultaneously


  Copyright (1986, 1991) J. Harlan Pine


