grit remains when the tide of hope runs out
systems shut down, soft going to rotten
nerves spasm a few final times, seeking contact
    and when there is none they fall still
the dull ache in the heart spreads wider now
    infecting the rest of the being
    running sluggish like old 80 weight
the bottom has dropped out
    and mind does not work properly anymore
thoughts a tangled skein of fishing line
    darkness creeps ever closer
while the dead hover overhead, judging
and the children look up asking
    “what happened to daddy?”

and then there is light, love
    a kiss, a warm breast pressed close
and from within laughter bubbles
and the ocean of hope is as full as it ever was