Biography

“You’re too young to understand life.”

It is in the moment where the sun is rising, the moon setting

over placid waters, rippled with the tremors of existence

when I realize.

It is in the second I slip away, connected to my soul and the universe,

my mind calmed by the drug of actuality

when I realize

:We’re miles away, but seconds from that far place.

Always.

(miles away, but seconds from.)

My memories of that year entail being yelled at for pretending and

feeding my mother toast to keep her alive.

At eight I watched on as life seemed to trickle away but

rain through an open skylight in perfect equilibrium day after day.

In each conversation I swore I saw her soul touch her lips and retreat again

when she poised herself with her iron lungs to speak.

To speak, to hold,

(miles away, but seconds from)

Fourteen when I watched as a human became a shadow.

I made “I love you” cards and decorated a room made of

paper thin walls and lively flowers that still wouldn’t

persuade the dark-hooded man to walk away.

I heard her breath come in harsh gasps, but still pouring

love from every orifice.

To love, to breathe,

(miles away, but seconds from)

August 29^th when I listened to grueling sobs become the fabric

of the rugs and when something snapped inside my sixteen year old mind.

I called you to say goodbye but

you probably couldn’t hear over the machines

that pumped your blood and kept you here,

you constant gardener, you bright star.

To shine, to garden,

(miles away but seconds from)

Harsh reality that stings my bones with the realization that we are all but

(seconds from but thousands of miles away)

We’re too young to be this sad.

We’re too young to need to make phone calls to heaven

(Living miles away but seconds from)

We’re too young to know reality so well

:Always miles away but seconds from that far place.

“We’re too young to be forced to understand life.”