Be Still, My Heart
“Dear Julia . . . there is no easy way to tell you this . . .”
On July 3rd, I learn of my friend’s suicide
The savage truth delivers a violent punch to my heart
and fractures my core
For others, the days ahead bring fireworks, art fairs, and festivities . . . even The Rolling Stones
but I’m here still trying to get up off the floor
Reality comes in waves now; acid waves which leave me breathless
I can’t talk about it yet, or say his name aloud, or share his wonderfulness with you
but I know that soon the grieving will begin and it will be better than this
In a single moment everything can change
your perspective . . . your world . . . even the person you are
To the muffled backdrop of exploding fireworks, I weep
for his pain
and my loss
and the tremendous tragedy of it all
It didn’t have to be
This life . . .
is magnificent and beautiful
yet fragile, tentative, and temporary
and ever so bittersweet.