The Summer of my life became the Winter of yours.
We thought that we were walking the same path,
We felt that we would travel together -
Sharing, growing old.

The path divided.
You were forced to go down a road,
I could follow only so far.

I could help you.
I could hold you.
I could not save you.

Each day that passed you grew weaker,
While I was forced to grow stronger.

You used to joyfully sweep me off my feet,
To hug me and say, “hello.”
I sadly embraced and lifted you,
So that you could suffer another day.

You quickly lost strength -
I recovered it and tried to return it to you.
It was not meant to be -
So the strength stayed with me.

Each Fall I return to that place,
Where you ended and I was forced to begin again.
Each Fall it becomes easier to rise,
To grow and to carry on.


by Kim Zane Kasmar