Ashes

this is what he wanted...

obeying his last wish,
she knelt against the cool earth,
down by the waterside
waves gently lapping at her knees,

she poured his ashes into her hand
tightened her fist around him
one last time,

slowly opening the flesh
that cupped him close
he was now caught on the wind
his remains swirled
into a whirl,
a cloud
of dust,
through her fingers he flew
into the air
into the water
back to sky and sea

her fingertips
covered in fine
powder,

she needed to feel,
touch, taste,
his essence
one last time
closing her eyes
she pressed her fingers
to her lips and tongue
and breathed him in