hands.
illuminated by the
golden morning light.
these hands
have met many
very important
hands in this
short week.
hands that will
never
remember the
clasp
the firm shake
or the simultaneous
release.
they won't recall
the insignificance
of these tiny
young
hands.
but if anything,
these hands left
fingerprints
on a world
much bigger
than
their
own.

"stop trying to make the words
sound pretty
and just say it."
"i'm not-"
"yes
you are."
you
were correct.
i was
looking for
the most
beautiful
words
to say
such an
ugly
thing.
and now that i
reflect on that
i am
proud
of my attempts
to decorate
the words.
it takes great
skill
to do such
tasks
and you
should
not
rush
the
beautifying
of
such
unattractive
things.

my lips just won't work into a smile today
because no one wants it to happen that way
i didn't know him, but i know those he left behind
and i know all they want is to just rewind
but all they have a chance to do is ask why
and just sit, and think, and let their hearts cry
that's what hurts me more that anything
having to stand by and watch their grieving
only able to give a maybe needed distraction
but unable to do what's really needed, answer a question
i guess i always knew that twenty three was unlucky
but i never thought it'd bring this. we'll miss you, Jesse.
**JLR