Gone

 
you died
and I realized
I loved you more
than people in my life
who claim to have my
best interest in mind
 
and I
didn’t even know
your first or last name
or where you came from
 
all I know
is how you showed
me more empathy
and understanding
than a lifetime
of failed parenting
 
then it clicked
you are gone
others are gone…
 
[are they dead too?]

have I died here
years ago
in a poem
that I wrote
out of despair
 
thought no one cared
but then we all
came together
 
and then we all
fell apart
 
and it’s broken my heart
to know I came here
and loved you all
before there was
any agenda
of harm
 
I wept your loss
 
I died
I am gone