your voice comes back to us
recorded on paper, written, thought out
what you said, what you wished for
the dreams that never came to be
the life lost to the things that held onto you
and wouldn’t let go
demons, darkness, distractions
you once believed in all that could be
we must believe that ourselves and hold onto it
so many questions, the hope that you once dreamed
and believed they could happen
is all we have now
what happens in hearts that cannot be untangled–
who cannot break away from the grasp of the cold?
why must they be lost forever
until completely swallowed up by the worries and fears
that torment them deep inside
the happy smiles, the jovial laughs, we all want to hide behind the mask
never let anyone in to see the mess inside
oh if only we could have seen
if only you had let us in
denial, pride, fear, shame, pain
are not friends to the soul
they tear it apart and break it to the core
until there’s nothing left but a life lost
too soon, too much, too heartbreaking
wishing it were all a dream
and we could all have do-overs
a chance to go for it again, to run, to leap,
to soar
and to turn it all around
and stick the landing
but it seems
that is for movies of the week and fairy tales
when in truth we falter, we trip, we fall and cannot pick ourselves back up
all the while smiling with the mask we’ve made
Yes, I’m fine, all is well, just fine and dandy, and you?
in this life, there’s not always a second chance or third or fourth
and a faulty landing can earn us far worse than a low number on a scoreboard
or a bumpy ride down a runway
it can take us down
and out
I promise to try to look beyond the masks of others
and try to trust and not hide behind my own
if only we had ripped yours away, grabbed you by your shoulders,
looked you in the eyes
and said,
“I know”
“I understand”
“I want to hear your story” or
cried out, “I want to help!” and then
did something, anything to help you change your course
but we didn’t speak
and you didn’t trust
and now your voice is silent
except for what is written
beautiful words of dreams and plans and love and laughter
you planned a good life
and now, my friend, you have it
your journey is over, the tears you never let go are wiped away
peace be with you
finally

Beautifully said!
Thank you Patrice. That means a lot. This was a hard one. Love and hugs to you.