A Saint’s Goodbye
A short fiction — Musings from the death bed
Dear Ely,
The doctor has informed that my cancer has spread. I am on my final leg. I find some relief in this knowledge.
Before it is too late, and my mind is lost in delirium, I guess it is wise to put my thoughts on paper.
Here are my final musings to you, my dear friend.
In my life, I have found joy in being beautiful. In my youth, I enjoyed the admiration from both men and women alike. They praised me for my white skin, long black hair, my lean and elegant posture.
Humility was not my strong suit and I allowed them to lavish their praises on me.
In my marriage, I found some joy and relief. It was nice being loved and chosen by a man. And not just any man, but one who was my match in terms of beauty and intelligence.
In the beginning, it was a triumphant release from my parent’s control. It was the happily ever after that I longed for.
But when the marriage became touched by suffering, when our shadows arose and warred each other, I found pleasure in the sympathies and protection from other men.
In the beauty of my fading youth, like a over-bloomed rose, with petals that are dark red and mushy along the…
