Lifetimes lived and died For a moment in the turnaround I was waiting with the car in drive Watched you hurry on across the parking lot The image of her life in your mind fades And I could see an anxious strength in you A bravery born in pain Waiting by the front door on your cell phone Summer at the convalescent home
“Kill me by surprise”, you said “I don’t wanna stay alive To watch the words go first like hers” Lifetimes lived and died
Lifetimes lived and died In the winter on the porch Through the window of the door I watch in the kitchen with your notebook open Frozen in the cold when I’d come back with wine At the end of every long night Take a moment you need to just breathe Whole days in treatment plans Aphasic patients, apraxia of speech
Weeks and months go by like this We function on routines We sleep, we eat, we read We eat, we drink, we sleep We keep her picture on the fridge I keep a rabbit toy for kids You gave me strength to fix myself I gave you tokens, toys and gifts To help you grieve
You said “kill me by surprise again, I don’t wanna stay alive To watch the words go first like hers”
Winter we huddle in anger, spring sadness sink in it Summer accept all departures, in autumn start again Winter we huddle in anger, spring sadness sink in it Summer accept all departures, in autumn start again
I drove around for hours For gifts to help you heal The memories of parted ones The seasons of our grief
Rhodonite for stress relief Promethazine for sleep A rabbit toy for children My deep condolences
Rhodonite for stress Promethazine for sleep A rabbit toy for kids My deep condolences