a tear trickles down the side of a face br haphazardly br not knowing why it was shed br br skirting across the cheek br it hangs on the lip for one last precarious moment br watery fingers clinging to beloved flesh br br till strength gives way br a precipitate falling to the floor br quietly br br without notice or distinction br disappearing into the dark warmth of the wood br no vestige of joy or pain br br to mark its passing. br br br (Previously published in Kookamonga Square, July 2000; The Poet's Porch, Feb.