FUMES

FUMES

Odorless, colorless fumes
rose up and into the car,
empty pill bottle on the seat;
in the sky, a morning star.

How long did she struggle
with the will to live?
How long had she given
all she had to give?

How bitter was the battle
she had fought for so long;
Her husband, her marriage -
all had gone so very wrong.

The fumes overtook her
and she eased into sleep;
a note not quite finished
but death wouldn't keep.

Too late discovered,
her body was cold -
Sleep well, little sister;
you'll never grow old.

Countrymom
3/6/05