A poem in memory of my cousin Stephanie, who would have been 21 years old today.

STEPHANIE

Candles light the way to you,

Your family gathers nearby.

Cousins grasp each other’s hands,

friends bow their heads and cry.

The night surrounds us, but you are there,

Smiling like you’ve never stopped.

Photos, teddies, flowers and thoughts,

We’ll never forget: your life was too short.

 

We danced at Puck, your black hair flying,

The music blasting from the stage.

Our last words spoken, last smiles exchanged,

I never knew, I would have stayed.

 

October comes around again,

21 birthday balloons sent high.

Steph, you will always be part of us,

And we send our love, because it’s not goodbye.