Silent Night

*Silent night, holy night*

Christmas Eve.
It was snowing.
You loved the snow, always trying to catch the prettiest snowflakes for me.

That night the windowpane was catching the ice crystals.
They were ugly- piercing, glittering things.
"Come away from the window," you whispered, "you'll catch cold."
"I might as well." I muttered, but hid it with a smile and
held you in my arms.

*All is calm, all is bright*

You were very quiet- and I wondered what you were thinking.
When you told me, I cried.

"It's pretty out tonight."
I could barely hear you.
"The moon is pretty."
"It is." I whispered, stroking your forehead.
"I'm going to visit it someday."
Fever talking again, you would get that dreamy look in your eye, and babble on about something impossible.

*Sleep in heavenly peace*

I'm not sure what time it was.
It might have still been Christmas Eve, or maybe it was Christmas morning-

You were watching the stars, I was watching you.
Then you kind of gave a little sigh and smiled up at me-

And then that was it.

Now the nights are silent.
Nothing is calm.
Nothing is bright.
And I never sleep in peace anymore.

So here I stand with the snow all around.
Seeing the prettiest snowflake in your trembling little hands-
It's Christmas Eve-
The moon and the stars are shining like they always do-

I lay down in the snow next to your grave, and fall asleep.