Beneath the Sampaguita Tree

I remember her

And her beauty.

Gentle as an infant's touch,

As powerful as a bull's charge.

I remember her 

And her smile.

In brightness rivalled by none,

None but the sun.

I remember her

Her sweet voice

To the ears like aural honey

Of which only God's taste worthy.

I remember her

And those soft hands

Her heavenly caresses

A treat for the senses.

I remember her

For I loved her

Not for her facade nor posture;

But for she had more.

I remember her 

When we met in secret

Lovers in the moonlight

'Neath the sampaguita tree's sight.

I remember her

When she said:

To our love, God shall be the witness."

A pact we sealed as we kissed.

I remember her

And the promise we made

"To stay forever in each other's arms

Be it in Heaven's grace or Hell's damns."

I remember her

When my sorrows began

She told me she'd appear,

But what came was cold fear.

I remember her

So, so vividly

As I searched for her high and low

With my love for her in tow.

I remember her

And I still do

Every night I returned for her

By the tree, to find her there

I remember her 

And it still burns inside

She returned pale, blood flowing free.

Where we loved--Beneath the Sampaguita Tree.