Jackson

I never realized before
how much tears scald
when they flow down my cheeks
cutting deep grooves of loss in my skin
traces of you permanently scarring my face

and the pain is so thorough
shooting out of me in all directions at once
trying to gulp deep breaths of air
but I can’t, I can’t
just like you couldn’t in your last hours.

February 17, 2019
(the day after you left us)