I stare down at you.

You, kneeling on the cold, hard ice at a frozen angel’s feet.

Your tears freeze on your overly pale face.

How can you do this?

Is this… Because of me?

I say your name softly.

Watch you spin.

Watch your eyes light up when you see me.

Watch you smile.

Watch color rush back to your body, as you start to shiver.

You let me help you to your feet.

You cling to me as you say my name, over and over…

As if you can’t believe I’m here.

And I see it, I see you can’t.

I see the hope in your face…

I daren’t crush it.

I smile and cling to you as you cling to me.

I look at the bleak surrounding us, and I hold you tighter.

I turn us to exit the place of the dead.

As I do, I see you look at the angel and smile softly.

I see you mouth words, but I don’t bother you.

Far better it is, to let you have your angel, than to take the frozen statue away from you.

The last thing I hear you whisper before we leave the gates,

The thing you say with a smile…

It’s letting go.