There is no word, no label, no identifying moniker,
I am not a widower, not an orphan, not childless,
But one child less.
One less open laugh and little boy giggle,
One less challenging open smile
One less artful, winking manipulation,
One less word of comfort, one less grateful hug.
One less chance to embrace a loved one
One less new life to carry your eyes, your chin, your grin, your name,
No one word for the pain, the longing, the brevity
Of a life meant for living; an old soul meant to grow older than mine;
Would there be any one price too high, any sacrifice too great,
For one more moment, one more breath, one more warm touch;
I grasp desperately and sense the closeness -
the ONE just at the fingertips of my heart and mind,
Only to realize again and again and again,
There is no "One" - you are gone and I am - less