[h1]One: I Remember The Dawn[/h1]
The first breath of air,
Always the freshest,
Always new despite my years

I hoist my eyelids open;
The sunlight burns my eyes.

After a few blinks,
I smile.

This sunlit sting is all that remains
Of the days before;
It is all that will remain
In the days ahead.

I watch the farmer step onto his porch,
Mug of bitter-scented coffee in his hand.

He watches me in return,
The smile on his face his only acknowledgement.

I greet him each morning,
My fragrant vines wrapping around the ancient poles
Which I've learned to love.

They are my home
Just as they have been for ages.

His children are next to rise,
Their bubbling voices emerging before they do.

I can recall their laughter even now,
A sound meaning the day will be good to them
Despite the grief that hangs low
Like fog in the longest of winter nights.

His wife will not wake.
She has not woken for weeks.

As I watch the family begin their day,
I wonder what happened to her.

[i]What happened to the farmer’s wife?[/i]