Elegy For Sweetie

“It’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson

When you stopped eating, so did I.
When you were pained, I was pained.
On Friday the 13th you chose to die.
In a way, it was preordained.

Because this year, each day’s today,
A year my life’s been tempest-tossed,
A horrid tale of Groundhog Day
Characterized by grief and loss.

This year, I’m out of character,
Praying to God and writing verse.
And very like a startled actor,
Knocked off role by a careless curse.

I can’t imagine how your death
Affects your Mommy, my poor wife.
I’m thankful that your final breath
Came while we slept in muted strife.

And even though you brought such grief
Into a life already wracked,
I’m grateful for your love, as brief
As it was, something my life lacked.

You lived up to your name, my friend,
You taught us lessons that were sound.
I would prefer you’d shared my end
And not the other way around.

Yet, summoning your failing might,
You walked up to me yesterday,
Though you’d but hours left to fight,
Bringing consolation to my day.

Your love was unconditional,
Your patience saintly, limitless.
Last night, our life was poor, pure Hell.
And yet today, we’ve so much less.

Love, Mommy and Daddy, 11/13/09