Ode

Don’t worry.
I remember.
I remember your sweet perfume,
So indescribable,
As your arms embraced me.
I remember staying up late
Polishing silver
Just to be with you.
I remember the heat of Arizona
In the middle of summer.
I remember you comforting me
The many times I was hurt.
I remember the horse,
The glass horse,
You gave me once.
I remember seeing the demon up close,
The one that took you from me.
I remember you saying
I will be there for you
As my sister graduated from high school.
But then you weren’t.

I remember leaving.
I remember the ballerina birthday cake.
I remember the many Thanksgivings.
But most of all, I remember crying.
You weren’t there then.
It was the first time I found out,
That you had cancer.
It was the first time I found out,
I had to be strong for you.
It was the first time I found out,
I would no longer see you.
Ever again.
There were many times after that,
That I cried for you.

If you were still with me,
If that monster hadn’t claimed you,
I would tell you I loved you,
That I will always love you.
I would tell you not to worry,
That I still remembered
And I would always remember.