darling, come to bed i said as i saw my wife lying languidly in the star light swaying in the hammock i built for her last fall when the leaves were just beginning to wither to the ground. she replied with a sad little smile that she'd be in later-- she wanted to enjoy the last moments of this summery night; her eyes urged me back inside. where i stood in front of the kitchen garden window, staring at her watching the unsure movements her shoulders made as her face found her palms and eyes melted as tears fell heedlessly. i was rooted to the tile flooring helplessly as i looked on at my sweetheart racked by emotion; what could i do? when i failed her as a physician, as a husband, and as a man? i'm sure she heard the low hum of the chevy as i fired her up and drove towards that site where we buried our failures and what reminds us of them; 'god granted me life as an angel, mommy and daddy - he says he's sorry you didn't get a chance to meet me while i was alive, but i love you and know you loved me, too' read the headstone on top of the newly turned soil. my darling daughter may peace be with her and strife never seek her while we take life's burdens as our own and cry for a child unborn.