He said I love you too.

Both were honest. Love. No stipulations.

Once upon a time he said I love your voice.

She said I wish I could give you more.

I'm sick, you see, and weak.

Once upon a time he whispered sweet things

to a picture of her he kept with him always

in hopes somehow she'd know.

Once upon a time she was well

enough to go to college just long enough

to collapse again before the new semester.

Once upon a time she laid crying

after listening to his words.

Come to me now, or I won't be waiting anymore.

Once upon a time she was afraid of herself.

Afraid of how weak her body had become

and wanted to spare him that.

Once upon a time illness ruled her life

lurking close to self hatred

for it was all she had left once he was gone.

Once upon a time she left home for Florida.

The sunshine and clear air helped her recover.

And she found a new sickness to fill the emptiness.

Once upon a time she danced for five hours

at the concert of a band he'd introduced her to

and she cried when she heard the song he'd called hers.

Once upon a time, shaking and starving by her own doing,

she thought of him somewhere, happy without her.

And though it brought tears she smiled.

Now her smile is as tired as her tiny form

both broken from the time spent trying to be strong

and perfect so he could love her again.

Her eyes still shine with love and loss

whenever his name is mentioned

but she will never see him again.

Once upon a time he read a page in a book

given to him by an old friend of theirs