(Poem 4)

In the book of Matthew, I read that the Lord cares about the little things. The birds, the lilies, the grass.
Are you not of more value than they?

A young man created in the image of God.

You have lived...
just over 25 years,
which is about 302 months 
or 9,197 days.
220,728 hours if you’d like, 
or 13,243,680 minutes.

Time can heal, they say.

The illness took full form... 
in about 2 months,
which is only 57 days.
1,368 hours if you’d like,
or a measly 82,080 minutes.

Did you know it takes about 66 days to form a habit?
I had 9 days fewer to figure out how to live a life without you.

The sun would rise and fall, and so do we I suppose.

This happens... 
every day,
which is 24 hours 
or 1,440 minutes.

We were never gifted at being openly affectionate.
Is it strange to say I was nervous to talk to you with mom and dad around?
I hate myself for it. Why should it have mattered? Quick changes,
even faster decisions, and a haphazard attempt to hold your hand—grabbing at some form of closure. A kiss on your chilled forehead, and a quiet voice repeating, “I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.” They rushed us out of the room, and just like that...

I still wonder if you heard me.
Brother, son, friend, father stolen away with a goodbye that lasted... 
a matter of seconds.