i'm tied
i've tried to cut this string
that attaches me to you
but the knotted rope is too thick
and my scissors too dull

when he was stolen from us,
the angels fell from heaven
their pure wings were ripped from their shoulders
the halos torn from atop their heads
thrown to the ash

shooting stars plunged
doomed for earth
one by one
then all together

she wept through the day
long into the night
suffocated by the thought
of remaining without him

with anger and sorrow
she blamed the angels
who were supposed to
defend him

life without him
would be a cold fire in the bitter winter
present
but with no warmth

we bid our farewell to the closed casket,
the barrier between us
as it lowered
into the dust

do you notice how my hand
trembles ever so slightly
as i hand you the evening paper?

or how i pull away
after every single touch,
even to soothe?

how my smile doesn’t quite
stretch across my face
or see the pain in my eyes?

or how my lips
scarcely part to let out
the rasp and gravel?

how much i want to scream and shout to the heavens
and kick and punch
until i see red.

don’t you notice my unhealed wounds?
or am i just that good an actress?