Kept her company. It stayed
though husbands, lovers, doctors
came and went. A thing darker in paint
than life. It sat for every portrait.
 
Though husbands, lovers, doctors
brought her flowers, death felt friendlier
than life. It sat for every portrait,
a skeleton in the bed, who
 
brought her flowers, death felt friendlier
than the man she loved. He saw her as
a skeleton in the bed. Who
held her tightly, more tightly
 
than the man she loved? He saw her as
an ex-voto brought to life. Our Lady
held her tightly, more tightly
than any parrot, monkey, leopard, which
 
an ex-voto brought to life. Our Lady
came and went. A thing, darker in paint
than any parrot, monkey, leopard
kept her company. It stayed.