Forever Undone



my husband selects

a golden urn

hearts circling its rims

a perfect choice

for our son

full of love and

warm bear hugs



my brother weeps

over the program

gazing at your first day of school face 

smiling, waving goodbye

from the yellow school bus



my family celebrates your life

on an unseasonably warm day

in November

where the wrestling team

presents a lantern

listing extracurricular victories



my frozen heart

bursts into flames,

ashes scatter,

listening to you sing

“Drift Away”

forever undone



Barb Edler

January 17, 2024