i once told you a month
wasn't enough to climb to where your heart
wanted to be and yell to the world
"i am strong"
but i am wrong
your birthday came and so did
news we could not return later
if we did not find it fit us
it was a million sizes too big
you turned 49 this year
but the only thing growing next year
is the amount of time you've spent in heaven
two weeks into a perilous journey
you were still able to walk
still able to speak your mind
still able to smile
two weeks into heartbroken news
you still lit up the sky and threw away the smoke
and i was proud of you
a month was long enough to prove yourself
worthy of friendship
worthy of smiling
worthy of standing, laughing-
wrapping up the hurt and storing it inside of you
holding on for those who watched over you
and now you watch over us
a month spent on treacherous ground
and no longer could you open your eyes
let your smile shine through even though
the pain you wore was now sizes too small
but you held on anyway
three days later
we told you
"we are strong"
we are strong because you are apart of us
"we will be okay without you, spread your wings, fly"
and you did
a month and two days to this date
is the amount of time you've spent soaring the sky
and if words could tell you how much i miss you
i would send them - scream them to you
you will forever be my north star
Yet again for my Aunt, who has been gone for too long now. I miss you every second. I wish this was only a dream.