If A Gift Of Parting, You Bring To My Deathbed Poem by Mark. A Heathcote

If a gift of parting, you bring to my deathbed
Be it simply a kiss and a white primrose
Be it simply the palm of your hand in mine
A simple reminder
That the world wasn't always unkind
Be it a longing, loving look in silence
And a tear that comes with a smile and a thousand more.
If a gift of parting is truly warranted
Say you'll never let me go
Like a long-forgotten memory
Of the melting snow on Christmas Eve
And tell me, hand on heart
You do believe we'll meet again.
And that we'll never be deceived
Not even by ourselves ever again.
Tell me I once mattered, but not to fear the shadows
The shape of things in the night to come
Because even they exist to point out the starlight
And leaves a footprint in the melting snow.