The Time Before I Turn

Sister, dearest, pray you draw nearAnd I'll whisper these few final thoughts in your earThey may be my last, for my vision grows dimAnd my breath comes in gasps, cold as ice is my skinFrom our birth have we fought, as all children willAnger twisted your heart, but I beg you stillHear me, your brother, if you think that you canGrant the final request of what remains of this manListen to meWhile I still breatheListen to meWhile I'm still breathingSister, my precious, conquer your fearCome closer, I beg you, I need you to hearThis final entreaty; blood cools in my veinsI have something to say in the time that remainsThese words are meant for you and for no other!Remember the times you would torment and teaseWith such an attentive and loving crueltyDrunk on the power you had over your brother!You loved to recite me your favourite storyOf the shadowy ones who were coming for me.The lies you told about me to our mother!Hear these wordsBefore I turnHear these wordsIn this time before I turnNow a strange fever convulses my limbsThe years of resentment and anger are dimmedAn icy-cold sweat standing out on my browThe shadow of death looming over me nowListen to meWhile I still breatheListen to meWhile I'm still breathingSince I was bitten by that festering thingI've suffered the pain of this strange maladySister, my dearest, I wish that you would(Although very soon I will thirst for your blood)Find some way to forgive your foolish brother!I know I'll see you very soonAnd our two bloods, from the same wombWill join and never more be put asunder!Forgive me my foolishness and my false pride;God bless you, my sister; I love you; goodbye.I do not have much longer now to suffer!Hear these wordsBefore I turnHear these wordsIn this time before I turnCalling your nameWe will meet again