Last night,
A soul I had known
Departed this world.

She left no note,
No wishes
No final farewell.
Just her dog next door,
And on the floor:
A vial, cannula, syringe,
And four drops of blood.

Where are your unspoken dreams?
Your daring hopes?
Your thoughts that only you could muster?
Your worldviews?
Your gifts for singing, for dancing,
And spreading love?
The world is surely a worse place
Without them.

How I wish I could have been with you,
Hugged you,
Shared your heavy load.
Told you that This too shall pass.
For all winters lead to spring
And all nights lead to dawn
And no matter how dark the forest,
There is, however unseeming,
A way out.
What I would give to fight demons with you
What I would give to see you again.

Rest in peace, my friend.
Tonight we mourn,
We remember,
We reflect.