Elegy for a Woman I Never Knew
by Rebekah Gardner
I lay here as a soft voice tells me of you.
As the tears begin to brush my cheeks,
My heart wrenches itself with the want to know you.
I can only imagine who you were.
Hearing the words of passion, I know how deeply he cherished you.
You welcomed in a stranger, a lost little boy.
Held open arms to a child that was void of love.
You strung up twinkling lights, laid out the softest of blankets
And wrapped him up so he could feel at home,
A sensation he did not have for a while.
Hair dark like a raven, but a spirit light like a dove.
You interlaced your fingers with your new son and grasped onto your true love's arm,
Leading them to the pond to feed the ducks.
A family, together, meant to be.
Soon, the sickness invaded your body.
With a sigh, you were gone.
Your story ends with leaving a funeral and losing a father through a drunken car accident,
But I know the impact was more than that.
He kisses away the teardrops with a touch, so tender.
Spreading the love I am beyond thankful you gave to him.
Dear woman I never knew,
Your name will forever echo through my mind.
Arcadia.