The light in her eyes has dimmed
            the half moon smile of her lips
                        no longer warmed by the sparklers
                                    which once greeted you
            with the hope of New Year’s Eve
                        and the grace of the Star of David
 
Her eyes
            devoid of interaction
                        with anyone who refuses to share her pain
            no energy to be expended
                        on those who believe grief
                                    has timelines and parameters
            which everyone is somehow to magically meet
                        perchance she was to feel alive
                                    on day ninety-five
 
Our eyes met the other night
            hers invited me in
                        as a kindred soul
            who has been in similar straits –
                        people not understanding
                                    grief has no bounds,
                                                no timelines,
                                                            no true instructions
            one does not just get over it
                        it is just not that easy, my friend
 
Our eyes glistened
            I listened quietly
                        while she shared her fears,
                                    expressed what she was able to do –
                                                the things that were too soon;
            we spoke of legacies
                        which ought not be tossed away,
                                    decisions that could wait,
                                                actions taken for clarity
 
Our eyes met again
            before we parted
                        I glimpsed the tiniest flicker
                                    I have hope
 
                                    jbh
                              8-8-2011
 
for my dear friend, Mitzi