The Bitter Cup

I’m not leaving you
He said.
We’re in this thing together.

I didn’t say anything
Back.
We both knew he lied.

The eastern sky
Lightened.
It looked like traveling weather.

Pushing his pant legs into his
Boots
He made sure the laces were well tied.

I’m just going to take
A look-see.
I’ll be back in a minute or so.

You stay quiet and sit tight right
Here
I’ll be back in a little bit.

I watched him pull on
His gloves
As he made ready to go.

The winter sun rose on
My face
And I knew that this was it.

At the top of the rise he began
To run
And he didn’t even look back.

I loosened the tourniquet and felt
The blood
Flow from the wound.

It spread on the ground in a
Warm pool
As I lay my head on my pack.

He disappeared over the
Horizon.
He wasn’t coming back anytime soon.

Never thought it would end
This way
Not in a million years.

As my blood flowed out, the sleep
Rolled in.
I knew I wouldn't wake up.

I would never leave him
Like this.
I’m not a man that surrenders to fears.

So I laid back and let it
All go
Sipping death from the bitter cup.