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I did not know her
But she was family
Taken from this world
Too soon
All of us brought together
Through a senseless act
All of us diminished
Through incomprehensible loss
Reaching for understanding
Of how a moment can become
A lifetime of grief
The vibration of it
Flowing through our bodies and thoughts
Determining movement
In this uncertain world
I did not know her
But I see her in my companions’ eyes
Hear her in whispers of condolence
Feel her in the concern of strangers
Customers who are friends
Who sing dirges
Strangers who shake their heads slowly
And say
I am so sorry
Those who never knew her
But who are family
All of us one and the same
Children made of stardust
Temporary and fragile
Holding each other against the cold
Absorbing the warmth of love’s embrace
Believing in the miracle of us
Standing for hope against all odds
I did not know her
But I do
In the every day
In the every hour
In the heartbeat of who we are
In the cadence of who we can be
Go in peace
Let the wind gather you up
Reveal the impossible light
Kiss you gently
And take you
Home
Rick Leddy is a poet, cartoonist, graphic designer, author, editor, and art director. He is the author of two poetry books, “365+1”, a collection of poetry that contains 366 poems — a poem a day — for the year 2016 and “Metro Mona Lisa”, which chronicles his journeys on the Los Angeles Metro and containing a unique blend of graphics and written word. He has authored two other books: “LeBron James – King of the Game” and “American Heroes: The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Road to Glory.” You will find him fending off imaginary enemies in the park when he isn’t writing or drawing.
