Soft brown teddy bear,

small and sweet

I laid it beside him.

Peter cried.

Hospital room sterile and cold,

Peter ran his hands along the fur,

rubbed it against his cheek.

He smiled.

He loved me even then.

I was scared to let go.

Did not want to lose my friend,

I said no. Behind my wall

I cried.

A year passed. I did not know

I loved him,

couldn’t show.

I saw a pink teddy bear,

like the one I gave the year before,

but pink.

It’s name was angel.

I laid them together,

I married my friend.

He died,

happy.

He loved me.

He knew I loved him.

He taught me how,

he made it safe.

He gave to me

with all his love,

courage, hope, and care.

When he died

he cried.

“Have I abandoned you then?”

“No, Peter,

you have set me free.”