Lilies

“There’s nothing like flowers,”
She said, smiling cheerily
and filling yet another cup with
A bouquet of lilies.

She said, smiling cheerily
“These should brighten the room.”
A bouquet of lilies
In a plastic cup.

“These should brighten the room,”
And then she left.
In a plastic cup
Stood the lilies, unwilted.

And then she left.
On the nightstand
Stood the lilies, unwilted
Next to his bed.

On the nightstand
I rested my hands;
Next to his bed
I called his name.

I rested my hands;
Looking into his closed eyes
I called his name
His lips moved lightly.

Looking into his closed eyes
A flash of hope:
His lips moved lightly
It was only his breath.

A flash of hope —
Then gone.
It was only his breath;
No other response.

Then gone
— the end.
No other response;
I wept.