No age
no age at all
never a justification
a reason to placate us
just an implacable, non-negotiable theft
of love, histories and too much still to be

the solace, a skinflint’s compensation,
is that for a short while you had them
and they had you
and that was life

but that’s as much as you get
to try to make it through

I miss how you used to laugh
And inspired everyone else to do the same.
I miss your fearlessness.  Your curiosity.
I miss how much you loved
to run and play games.
I miss a lot of things.
But what I miss the most is how pure you were.
Like the light from the midnight moon.
You were gone too soon, Innocence.

What reward awaits beyond
What lights shine upon the soul
Those who've suffered long?

Now gone,
Are you running free?
While we grieve, saddened
Crying tears we never let you see

In your place, a candle shines -- but
It will never burn as bright
As the light in your eyes

May you be at rest,  now
Peacefully
Forever

Sometimes I imagine you
cold in the ground
Dead
Not because I hate you
and want you to be
Dead
But because I love you
and don't want you to be
Dead
And it makes me appreciate  
that you are alive and not
Dead
And this mono-no-aware
will be with me until I am
Dead