Dear Me: Poems of loss, grief, and hope in New York’s darkest days

These poems are from her book Dear Me: Poems of loss, grief, and hope in New York’s darkest days

Forever

I hadn’t considered what was ahead

I thought our lives would go on forever

As they were

Perhaps foolishness

Perhaps survival

Is it possible that I’ve managed to design

A new life for myself?

I loved the old one

I would wake up each morning and think

What do I want to do today?

The possibilities were endless

All of them good

The gods of loss decry

Wait one year after loss

To make major decisions

But life is too short

So, that year condenses to months

I can stave off the loneliness

By providing a loving place

To be with family and friends

Now, while there’s still time

This poem is from her play A Perfect Storm

In case you think I’m all better now

I still sleep on my side of a king-sized bed

I still can’t use the pillow on the other side

Even though it’s been replaced

Maybe a new house?

Maybe a new mattress?

Maybe never