not from experience but rather memory
she follows me now, hand clasped in mine
feet dragging along as i lead her
down the well-trodden path
i can’t help but look around
at the ones that came before us
time has not been kind to them
those that still stand have been weathered
words smoothed over with tears
until all that remains is a blank slate
few carry anything of note, untouched
me in front, her silently behind
the path is newer, paved by each set of steps
the ones here are clearer, sharper
giving way to a glimpse of what once was
but they start to blend together
a mass of indistinguishable differences
we near the end of the path and she stops
finally lifts her head to look at the most recent one
“i held her hand just like you did”
“yes. you know how this goes” i offer, but we both know there is no consolation for this
“im scared. i don’t want to go yet”
“there’s no need to be scared” i gently reassure, while pressing down on her shoulders
she turns to face me, watching me through her descent
“you won’t be alone. you saw. you saw everyone before you. you’re only joining them”
she tries to speak but i keep pushing
“its alright. i’ll join you soon enough. once the next one comes”
she lays there staring at me with a blank look on her face
soft earth claims her, blankets her and whisks her away
i hold my breath, feel the air around me shift
and then release all at once a chorus of sighs
i hope that when my time comes i’ll face it with a bit more grace
perhaps i’ll hold my head up high, maybe even take her hand, play shepherd to my own fate
there’s no point dwelling on it
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