when someone dies there is a period of time where the grief is unbearable.
but gradually the pain begins to fade.

when he died – he never really made it all the way through.
you held onto remains as hard as you could
but not quite enough to keep him.

he was a cornerstone. the love you had for him was the north on your compass.
you knew where you wanted to go. you just didn’t know how to get there.

the sharp sting every time you thought of him was a signal to let you know that
you were still alive.
for days it was a steady, dependable pulse. a constant reminder.

he is not here and he has not left.
but it’s enough that now
you have one less landmark to find your way.
you’re still swimming
but you’re no longer afloat.