Among the Silence of the Morning

One morning Eliza awoke and heard not a sound.
Is Papa up yet?, was her first thought.
He was usually up and making breakfast by this time
But this morning was shockingly still.

Perhaps papa went for a morning stroll.
It was something he often did these days.
He always said that the warmth of the morning mist
And the sweet fragrance of the lilies made him feel at ease.

So she went about her morning chores,
Washing down counters and sweeping floors.
Soon Eliza realized that papa had not returned.
He usually returns within the hour, she whispered to herself.

Worry struck her like a bullet to her chest.
Never before had he taken such a long walk.
I shall make Papa his favorite breakfast, biscuits and gravy.
She ran to the pantry and started preparing the meal.

By the time the meal was done was put on a plate for him,
Eliza was frantic to find her father.
He wouldn’t miss this special meal. He never has.
Her mind was racing as she started to search the house.

The door to her father’s room creaked open blatantly
And there lay her father, sound asleep.
Eliza ran to him and let out a soft sigh of relief.
Papa, you had me horribly worried, she thought, smiling down at him.

As she knelt down and kissed his cheek gently,
She was disturbed to find his skin slightly cold, as if frosted over.
Oh, papa, your skin is ice. How can you sleep?
Softly, she laid her hand upon his chest.

Tears rolled down her pale cheeks, no movements from him.
“No, papa, no!” Eliza exclaimed, laying her head upon his chest.
Her heart sank as she sat there weeping openly for hours.
The one person she loved more than life itself had finally left her.