an ode to Toni Marie

a heart that drips of sweat
and tears
from a mother
lost, now
finally, gone.

you handed me the pieces.
shattered shards of glass that stretched
beyond intuition.
reflections behind closed eyes, smile lines,
the beauty mark on your chin.
gazing into photos
like a mirror.

we find the strength to hold each other
from a distance.
a familiar but foreign self
fumbling through a life
gifted but
not received.

meanwhile
the black-eyed susans sing lullabies
all year long.
speak back and
i promise,
i will hear you.