Angel of Death

a single rose falling onto granite
suspended in air as the petals rest,
the cold frost bitten ground, solid
no more alive than you are now.

i died that day inside, lost
part of me that once made me whole
that reminded me why i do what i do
but you are gone, in the ground, have been

for 4 years. i was too young, too naive
to understand just how much
you meant to me, the stories
the encouragement, the life you spoke of.

so now you sit, in row Q, marker 28,
your partner there with you, as i feel
your soul come out from the ground, breathe
life inside my body, whispering

just how much i mean to you, an angel
watching over my shoulder, wrapping
your wings close, curling me inside your nest
chirping soft notes like your old bird calls in the park.