One Last Spring Poem by Joseph Williams

As I rest beside the waters
I know death approaches soon
As the blade has struck deep
And the blood flows steadily like a river

Yet while I look into the waters
I see not the familiar and hardened face of a warrior
But the face I wore as a young man
In a young time, with young cares and young
fears
And a young love that blossomed like the cherry trees that covered us next to these waters

I see the beauty of your soul and elegance
With each stride gracefully carried by Spring wind
And a smile that warmed me far greater than the sun
It was here that I found that you were my peace

Yet peace cannot exist without war
And I cannot exist with peace
So as the sweat drips from my brows
And mixes with the blood and water
I am brought back into my world, one which is fading fast

I prop against the tree we loved under so long ago
And feel a cool breeze rush against my bruised and broken body
With it my eyes begin to grow heavy and my mind absent
And all I can hope for is that when my heart finally stops
Is that I get to visit you one last time in the Spring