Poof Poem by Victoria Gauci

One minute you were here with me,
Now I look and you are not,
I have all of this stuff of yours,
It's not a little, it's a lot,

Seventy eight years of accumulation,
Now all of it boxed up,
I simply have to face you're gone,
But all I want is to give up,

Your beautiful hands were empty,
You took not one single item,
All your special little treasures,
I know how much you liked them,

I have them in my possession,
But they do not bring me comfort,
All I want to do is scream out loud,
And curl up inside a blanket,

With one last gentle, single breath,
You closed your eyes to sleep,
Your soul took flight with angel wings,
And my heart began to weep,

Although I want you back again,
I know that can never be,
I have you in my mind and heart,
Locked inside without a key,

I'll keep you there forever more,
While I continue on with life,
It comforts me to know you're free,
From sickness, pain and strife,

Your special things will be around,
With those that loved you mainly,
My love for you will never die,
I can't say it anymore plainly.

2011
For my friend Lynne
In memory of her mother Ruby