I scuffle over the gravel
Toward the man who is my hope
Or is he my executioner?

Where is she?  Is she here?  Tell me she's okay.

The air holds its breath as I wait
Sun beating hot on my back
Fear constricting my lungs
Blood pounding in my head like
A lumberjack felling a towering redwood tree.

I'm sorry...she's gone.

My heart stops short...no, please no
My wife, my hope, my life
All cut short with just one word
The axe falls.

I collapse to the stifling dust and stinging stones
Blood runs free around me, stars dance
My head strikes the ground and I cry.