i said goodbye
underneath the barren tree
tears flowing down my cheeks
i couldn't fathom- why
gone to early
her soul flying high
i hope at least she was happy

i found her in the stacks
piled beside her a mountain of books
brows furrowed
eyes burning holes in the pages
beneath her clenched hold

i met her in the queue
down cast
sullen
as if each second passing by
deemed to be her last

i dreamed of her
driving a stick shift car
her hair flowing
laughter all around her

as young as could be
i watched my parents
each step they took
glee all around them
i waited for
what was made for me
right from the beginning