No Where to Go (Up)

"Let's leave these dried up people," she said,
"And fly on the wings of the Summer birds
To a place far better than here."
I gave but a slack-jawed grin,
Holding steady on the night air
Upon the backs of shooting stars
Hurtling somewhere beyond the dark side of the moon.
She laughed and held out her hand,
Beckoning me to the Great Beyond.
"I do not know the way!" I cried
And yet, I followed.
I followed like a little child follows its mother,
Always trusting, never questioning
The direction in which you lead me.

But now, the skies have changed
And your skin is cold.
Your eyes do not burn like the stars;
They are dulled and downcast.
There is no laughter in the dead of night
Rolling from your parted lips,
No warmth in your arms
To take a way this Winter chill.
Only a haunting silence in your stead,
An emptiness as profound and as deep as
Death himself.

"I do not know the way," I sigh.
I turn and look to the stars on which I rode
So long ago.
They are silent now but I know there is nowhere to go
But up.
Up towards the sun and the moon,
Up towards the Heaven I have dreamed of
But cannot attain
Up towards the place where we will meet once more
Up towards the Fate that holds you and me
Within its palm.
"Up, up, up!" I scream.
"Up from these ashes, I will rise."