It is when you see it happen, yet further away,

not quite close enough to impact a daily life,

yet for some,

every aspect of departure is a solemn reminder.

 

How close came the shadow of doubt,

when callous minders

shout out loud, distract the envy, suggest

we might not recall your soul.

 

The action begins to take shape,

the fantasy, the planning, the convinced

shadow that lurking gives credence

to a destiny we have all feared ourselves.

 

A silent residue of a shallow reminder

holds close the bargaining chip,

a smile allows a facade we rely upon

so that others simply won’t know.

 

For in the end, those that do, those that can

remain poignant only inside a solo fantasy.