Loss

The shock,
A drawing in, a gasp.
The way an explosion steals the air around it,
And then screams out against the vacuum.
But there’s nothing rushing in to fill the void today.
Nor tomorrow.
Another loss bitterly felt,
Our body still perceives the phantom limb,
Nurtures it,
Wills it to remain.
Through memory,
Through shared responsibility.
We endure.
For those who helped light the way,
Against fearsome darkness.
But we will also take the time to mourn,
Before we build on what was.
Let us assure the lost we still climb,
We will continue to reach,
Until we’re high enough to call lightning to ground.

In memory of Dawn. I had very few direct online exchanges with her but admired her deeply. No justice in biology…