18 Years
Today my grief becomes an adult
It takes responsibility for itself
It is self aware
It understands to a greater degree its' impact on others
It is less pained than in it's infancy or adolescence
These days there is less screaming
But the loss has formed me,
Like a missing limb affects your gait
I am who I am because of you
And because you are not
For the longest time
Memory was pain
And grief halted everything
But these days
Grief is fruitful
And my memory is sweet
With a sharpness
That brings focus.
I will not waste
This taste
This aftertaste
Of You