In Death, I Refuse to Part

I sat down by the River Styx

Watching Charon paddle.

Swish. Swish.

Melodic symphony

Wafting through my head.

I had to see him.

He comes to the shore,

"What'll you pay, kid?"

I look down

And I am a kid again.

I reveal a drachma

And receive a grin.

"Climb on board."

Swish, swish.

The oars slowly churn,

Mixing a cocktail of lost souls.

I watch, pondering,

Is he in there?

Is he lost forever?

Is he-

We hit the shore,

And I spill out,

A waterfall of lost dreams

Charon smiles,

Flips the drachma,

"This is it."

I tip my newly acquired hat,

And continue into the realm.

Cerberus snarls and gnashes,

I enter underneath them,

Passing the wall and gasping.

The Fields of Asphodel teem,

Wandering souls, lost,

Finding nothing,

Yet wanting everything.

This is the place.

Veering into the fields,

His name comes from my lips

Like Cerberus's howl.

There!

I race to him, arms open.

He looks different.

He has changed,

Aged in such a way,

I can't recognize him.

He turns, a gasp escaping.

"Elpida?"

His voice is a sweet breeze.

His arms surround me,

And I am home.

"Elpida."

"Vlassis."