I grieved today

In your footsteps left casually behind.

Walked slowly down the hall

To your room: searching

For a clue that you hadn’t totally left me alone.

And I remembered –

Those times you tamed my fears

And held me near

Hoping to discern my troubles.

And I smiled –

About the laughs we shared

With our private jokes.

And I remembered –

The fights we’d have at bedtime

Which would leave us in the dark

Trying to find joy.

And I was happy –

Thinking of all the times we

Stuck up for each other.

And I remembered –

All the times you comforted me

When I was sad.

And I felt lost –

You were gone to

Be a changed person,

Perhaps someone I didn’t know

Anymore.

And then I cried.

© 1999 Sharlene Tan