Dove

DOVINA GALES | The Proprietor of Healing Tears

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Oh, how you would be proud of me now, love. Do you remember all those flights we made at the cusp of morning, when we reveled in the motley rays of the rising sun, dancing over dew-laden brush? You said the droplets were angel tears, that I could have cried them, and that would make me blush. I had no reason to cry back then, so I didn’t know how close you were to the truth.

It was just after your funeral. I had cut myself on one of the clasps of your casket—I didn’t care of course, but as I wept for your descent into the ground, I wiped at the tears with the wounded hand. You must forgive me, my thoughts could never have abandoned the memories of you and our love, but in that instance I couldn’t help but to stare as the skin repaired itself under the alkaline waters. In a fit that I have come to be grateful for, I took several vials and I saved those tears.

After your body was lost under earth, after I mourned our lost love and true devotion, my tears would become my reason for enduring a joyless existence. I knew the potential of my powers, and yet—I’m sorry, love, I couldn’t stay there. I had to get out. I flew alone to all corners of the world, crying at every sunrise and dewdrop and keeping the tears. I didn’t keep track of how long I was gone…it could have been years for all I know. The only constant was the wish for you to be at my side once more.

Eventually, I found the strength to return to the tundra and snow. This was when I found a very kind sorceress—her name was Diamond—and she enchanted those tears I had vialed, so that they would stay frozen forever. I wear them now, a constant reminder of the one good thing that did come from your death. And that is what I wish to tell you most, love. You would be proud of me, because I have angel tears, and I heal others with them. In my new Clan, I’ve turned myself to the service of helping others. All it takes is the thought of you, and all their wounds are mended. What I don’t tell them is that they have you to thank for all of it, my love.

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Fading warmth has faded fast,
All that’s left is gray;
How long must this grief last
Before I also fade away?

In my mind, you’re always there,
Warden of my world,
But when I look around, you’re nowhere,
Your presence from me curls.

Strong inside is memory,
Distant but so sweet;
Lift me out of penury
To unvarying retreat.

Yet with it, tears come evermore,
Flowing free as air,
Warm with something I knew before
With passion we once shared.

Pressing onward, finding reason to gift the world around
I’ll always spill these tears I cry, forever burden-bound;
And under soothing salve of dew which springs from teary eye
I refuse to bate remembrance with the finality of goodbye.

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