Yes, I know I am dying

but don’t tell me I must leave,
I must let go. You frighten me,
the one I treasure, the one
who holds my hand.
Why are you so anxious
to empty out this bed?
Let me tread water in your tears
reflecting light in the diner
where you dropped
a cherry pie on my white shirt.
Do you remember?
Let me drop into delirium
of crunching leaves
beneath our boots.
Do you remember?
Soon enough the dawn
will wrap you in a rosy
robe of sorrow. Your first day
alone without me. Do you know
I hear you whisper in my ear:
I’ll always love you. Time to go.