I wander the night, where the shadows choke.

For me, the cold is within my cloak.

The wind carries whispers, the names of the dead.

The bright light of morning fills me with dread.

All I have loved now rot in a grave.

Where I want, I need, forever I crave.

Death never comes for me, knowing he’ll fail.

The sun burns my skin, for I am too pale.

I am hunger and thirst. And I am the cold.

That no prayer can thaw and no grave can hold.

Then she appeared, fragile, laughing, and alive...

She gave me a reason to try to survive.

I starved for her, defying my curse.

To go on without her would surely be worse.

I buried the thirst that would bleed her dry.

Her smile made it easy. Like I didn't have to try.

The beat of her heart mocked my chains.

For I could smell the blood course through her veins.

I loved her with everything, body and soul.

The thought of her death swallowed me whole.

Yet I could not turn her. Not like me.

For life eternal should never be.

I watched as sickness washed her away.

Had I been mortal. I’d pray she could stay.

Then she drifted, gone just like rest.

She was the one. The one I loved best.

The nights hours waned as dawn drew near.

For the first time in death, I truly felt fear.

I sat on a cliff to meet the sun.

And once it rose, I did not run.

One last horizon, one last golden sky.

At last. I was ready. Ready to die.

As the light touched my skin, it blistered to grey.

Then scattered to ash and floated away.

Through the worst burning pain known to men.

I smiled and knew I'd see her again.

As my body convulsed and burst into to flame.

With one final breath,

I cried out her name.