No surrender
The assault on my life
began the instant yours ended.
Stabbed by pain, I fell
weeping and mauled;
but I would not surrender.
Grief threw me down, pummeled
and pounded me with unseen fists.
Each breath a struggle, my torment
would not diminish;
but I would not surrender.
My enemy was strong,
determined and undeterred.
Its hope was in my lack of it;
its power in my faltering life;
but I would not surrender.
I used time wisely. The power
of my hope became my shield,
my fortress of strength.
I counterattacked your death;
and I did not surrender.
Battling my deep grief, I learned what
made it live, what made it strong.
My heart grew stout as I buffeted
and defied its onslaught;
and I did not surrender.
Your life, my memories
became the enemy of my enemy.
My power grew as its power
weakened and stumbled;
and I did not surrender.
I did not let your death
become my death. I did not
let grief destroy your life.
You live, I live.
There was no surrender.
The assault on my life
began the instant yours ended.
Stabbed by pain, I fell
weeping and mauled;
but I would not surrender.
Grief threw me down, pummeled
and pounded me with unseen fists.
Each breath a struggle, my torment
would not diminish;
but I would not surrender.
My enemy was strong,
determined and undeterred.
Its hope was in my lack of it;
its power in my faltering life;
but I would not surrender.
I used time wisely. The power
of my hope became my shield,
my fortress of strength.
I counterattacked your death;
and I did not surrender.
Battling my deep grief, I learned what
made it live, what made it strong.
My heart grew stout as I buffeted
and defied its onslaught;
and I did not surrender.
Your life, my memories
became the enemy of my enemy.
My power grew as its power
weakened and stumbled;
and I did not surrender.
I did not let your death
become my death. I did not
let grief destroy your life.
You live, I live.
There was no surrender.