Watching

The birds sing out as she wanders paths unknown to man.
The world breathes out as her soft feet touch its surface,
Like smooth white petals on a pond.

I watch her in futile remorse,
For I know what is to happen.
And I cannot hinder it,
No one can stop the sea splashing up,
A tidal wave of grief.

The tears fall slowly as she splashes away her reflection.
The leaves change color and lose so much of their previous splendor,
As she fades into dust as well.

The ivory skin of this girl is reddened,
By the bites of maggots and flies.
For her body has decayed,
And has been washed away by the tides.

I have to sit and watch,
As all of this occurs.
I wish myself to be more,
I wish myself to be something else.
But this is her whole life,
And mine is not much more.