After she was murdered,
She haunted her husband,
Pleading, "I'm so lonely;
You gave your soul to me."

He sought her everywhere,
With fasting, with madness,
Till his friends, death fearing,
Summoned the town shaman.

He dared the madman's stare,
Felt his wrist, tugged his ring.
At last, the shaman spoke,
"It's time for grievous action.

"This love's too strong; entwined
Thus, she drags him to death.
To save his life, I must
Unmake this holy bond."

Five friends held him; he screamed
As holy silver knife
Shattered his wedding ring.
Tears flowed from hidden wound.

He walks, he talks, he works;
He rubs his ring finger
And smiles only when
Lost shadows kiss his eyes.

Sandra Ulbrich started her writing career in high school, when she made up her own lyrics to songs. She soon graduated to writing sonnets, villanelles, and free verse. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in molecular biology/English and a Master of Technical and Scientific Communication degree, she worked as a teaching assistant, a science writing intern at the National Cancer Institute, a technical writer, and a proofreader. She is currently a lab technician at an enyzme-producing company. In addition to writing poetry, Sandra has also written a fantasy novel called Day of All Seasons, which has been submitted for publication. She is currently writing a sequel, called Fifth Season. When not writing, Sandra enjoys listening to classic rock (especially the Beatles), reading, gaming, attending cons, and chatting with her friends.