40 too soon
From a collection of poems written by Gina following the passing of her partner Adam Renner. Contributed by Joan Monheit, Writing Through Grief workshops, listed under Writing.
It wasn't at 27 to join the club of musicians
or at 33 like the profit
Not by assassination or contamination
but 40 years –too soon
40 days suffices a Lenten sacrifice
40 weeks a fully developed child
Heart beating, blood pulsing, brain breathing
to stop at 40 years
too few for a lifetime
10 minutes was too long
4 days waiting
holding your hand
whispering in your ear
tears (mine) saturating the pillow (yours)
desperately trying to take you in
as I prepare for your last breath
smelling your skin
tasting your lips
touching your hands, your face, your body
unable to gaze into your eyes
unable to hear your voice
though your songs still echo
it is more than my five senses that miss you
laying in bed, imagining you by my side
reading your words, trying to hear your voice
looking at photos, wanting you instead
listening to your songs, wishing you were playing in front of me
tears (mine) saturate the pillow (yours)
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