Tribute- Bye Hem

"You can't do this to me,"  
How many times have we heard that clichè?  

Regardless of how we feel now
you warned us
gave it to us straight;
told us all you're a shadow.
You're just so tangible to be a shadow...
Your presence sits heavy in the room  
and you know it.  
Don't you?
That you're missed when you're not there,
something's off,  
something's less.  
You're a leader  
and a lover of other depth
with words of leaden weight or feather light
that flourish where they're planted.
A brother first, a poet next,
a pillar and a roller-
I'm vexed in this attempt  
at a tribute to you.
It won't work-

It's still too fresh...
You know it,  
don't you?

***See LA's (ImperfectedStone's) "Goodbye" ***