It wasn't the smell that made them sick
It was what it meant
The realization that came all too quick
Why she hadn't responded

They ran upstairs to her room
Their feet making a choice their hearts weren't ready for
Why did they leave her alone.

She was there, in her bed, peaceful
Everything in their bodies screeched to a halt
They didn't breathe they didn't think
Why did they leave her alone.

The pain couldn't touch them
Nothing could
Nothing would for years
They shut down like toys with dead batteries
Why did they leave her alone.

The pills had been in an orange bottle
Now it sat on the bedside table
Label facing out like a product placement in a film
Why did they leave her alone.

The cruise was terrible
It rained, they bickered
They drank, and worried about her.
Why did they leave her alone.

Why now...

Why like this....

Why did they leave her alone