She coughed again; he held her hand.
Her eyes portrayed her agony.
Her mind had wandered to the dream
Of the day when she would breathe free.
The night was cold; she'd neared the end
Of her bleak earthly residence.
He was to face the only loss
Where nothing could give recompence.
The shutters banged; the cold wind howled.
Death's carriage took her on her way.
An end has come to earthly trials
For Helen Reed has passed today.
