The Final Battle    - - competition piece - -

at least we got the chance to say our proper goodbyes
we got to line up outside your room and have you to ourselves for a few minutes more
this is a luxury, I know many aren't blessed enough to have
 
but how do you thank someone for teaching you right from wrong and what unconditional love feels like?
how do you tell them it's okay to close their eyes and put their tired body to rest when all you really want is for them to be there when you graduate, get married, have children?
 
how in the hell did I stay so strong when I felt like a single gust of wind would knock me to the ground?
     You fought long
          You fought hard  
              You've fought enough.
even now you teach me valuable lessons
 
and in the end there was no dramatic cries of grief
no praying to a God of any form
only peace and an empty space in our hearts no one will ever be able to fill.