I depart from my class,
ending at 9:35pm
to begin the walk
back to my apartment.
I pass the downtown hospital--
its ominous fluorescent lights,
shining through the cracks
of yellowed window blinds
which sway in the stagnant air
to the ticking of anticipation.
Shining.
I watch the sky, a dusting of stars;
which lights
are the ones that have died
a beautiful death--
sacrificing themselves, not knowing
the amusement we have in their funeral.
As they shine,
I can only imagine the lives inside those walls--
ending, slowly, quickly, possibly, inevitably.
I hope you had the chance to shine
as bright as they did.

*September 2012