"As We Were Leaving Hell" by Giovanni Dania

As We Were Leaving Hell

As we were leaving Hell, I could not but think
That my efforts-- at last!-- had gotten you out.
Then, just we neared the very edge, the very brink:--
I was racked by doubt.

I remembered the past, when you were still living,
How happy our lives entwined seemed to be.
But later you displayed a feat of forgiving
By forgiving me:

I loved my music more than you, I admit it!
And you sat alone amusing yourself all the while.--
Then the sight of your corpse-- I won't forget it:
I saw you smile.

Eurydice! your name is all rhythm and beauty,
Signs any good poet-musician should know.
(As we were leaving Hell, you performed a great duty
By letting go.)

I felt your grip wane, much to my relief,
But how mutual it was (for me) was too much.
I wanted more from this goodbye, this was too brief;--
I longed for your touch.

I turned back, you were gone.-- "What have I wrought?!"
Cried a voice in my mind, perched at a cozy niche,
But was gone, and I smiled as I thought me a thought:
Hell can keep the bitch.

February 1995