tense tense ten, days left
the strain of a rope-wrapped-hand weakening
until the lights flash like first class grins do...
                                                do you remember

carol of the bells echoing off the walls,
the repetitions don't sound like chords anymore
but mutter, sigh, and oh no
i have so much to be sorry for
                                   do you remember when she

because the sun is setting at 4:43pm and
the warmth is leaving the world too quickly now.
dewy-eyed, no it's fine. everyone is happy, right?
                    do you remember when she laughed?

at peppermint tear drop petals
silver shine bright ornaments
red and white mix like the night on the bathroom floor
                     remembering, remembering, remembering.
the clock always tick-tocks the same

when she yelled, cooked, danced
with love until anticipation replaces grief
and family connections are dis
connected, confrontations, confusion

remember when she used to smirk?
                 no. this is how it is now...