I felt the pain that gripped her
Flowing through me from clasped hands,
My heart ached, my very soul was shaken
Tho' its fierce depth and strength I could not stand.

How can I begin to feel
That which I had never known?
I was as much at place here
As a goatherd on a throne.

With cold, damp cloth and false courage
I gently wiped her brow with care
And poured all of my love out to her
While beseeching Gaia with my prayer.

Born deep within her tortured mind
A small groan escaped lips so pale
And with that gasp my love did rest
Leaving where I was cursed to dwell.

Never again would my true love join me
To walk beneath a star filled sky at night.
Never again would my love hold me
And let me ease away trembling fright.

My heart felt as cold in truth as
Seven solid years of winter.
With what false hope could I continue
Knowing not where the God's had sent her?

A tiny wail escaped the stillness of the night
And my heart was broke anew.
The tiny bundle that I held so close
Was all I'd left of you.

For not quite did I stand there all alone
Our swaddled child I did hold to my chest.
While a weary weight threatened to engulf me
I knew with this burden I'd no time to rest.

How could I meet the sunrise
With no heart to keep me strong?
With my love gone what could I give our child
In winter nights so deep and black and long?

Penned by my hand on the 25th of Phaestian, in the year 226 AF.