A (K)Night in the Underworld
Was my dream last night
like Orpheus in Hades?
I could not bring Louise home.
A choice to leave her or to stay
would leave her in hell anyway.
Am i guilty in paradise?
Would it have been better–or best
to have avoided the quest
with inadequacy confessed?
So, how should anyone react
feeling sorrow after the fact?
It wasn’t courage which i lacked.
She knew how hard i had tried
to keep her alive–but she died.

Walt Abbott–9-17-08