Oh radiant boy
The room dimmer in your absence
Our voices muted as we sing into this new now
No one said your name aloud
We played a child’s game warming up
“ I’m standing. In a circle. With my friend X”
And wished we could call out your name

Reaching into the pocket of a spring jacket
A jacket not worn since last year
What’s here?
A small slip of paper with your hospital room number – the first of five rooms you lived and died in

Scorched fingertips drop the slip back in the pocket
Flames briefly light that scene as I look back
And flicker as tears quench the fires of remembrance