What Else Has Ghost, But Time?

I gravely watch her in slumber,
A haunting most beautiful sight,
Heavenly hair crowns her pillow,
It’s softness gleams in the light.

I, who once was her husband,
Privileged to call her my wife.
We loved with hearts all aflame,
She cherished the whole of my life.

Inviting lips, once only for me,
Her misty eyes were always mine,
We loved and laughed every night,
Till the reaper called out: Time!

Now I am gone, yet I stand guard,
Jealous still, of what was once mine,
Willing to risk heaven’s wrath,
Defending her countenance divine.

I ward so none may approach,
A dead man’s lost shadow unmade,
Lest another should capture her heart,
I linger— a cold vengeful shade.

No chains to shake in the silence,
Nor grim mouth to give eerie howl,
Forever spreading my deathly chill,
Full of ire, restless, I prowl.

My chill brings strong men to flee,
My shadow drives fear in their souls.
I guard over her, eternally,
Vowing they’ll not reach their goals.

She senses me not with her sight,
But sometimes she feels in her heart,
The endless fire of my burning love,
And bids would-be suitors, depart.

I’ll never forsake my loved one,
Nor accept, she’s no longer mine;
I wait out the span of her mortal life,
For what else has a ghost, but time?