his last days were filled with sad smiles.

not too eager to please
yet he hated to disappoint.
an elaborate scheme
just so that they may live on
neither courage nor cowardice
could justify such an act.
such bravado
such stupidity

not that she din try
not that she wouldn't have
but she had her own life to live

and after all, she was there
through it all
the last glimmer of light
waning
in this heart of darkness.