A Poem for Patrick

A thought of you comes to mind.

It takes my breath away.

I feel a shudder,

The shudder of dread. Inconsolable.

Dread of realization that

You are gone from our lives.

You are gone much too soon.

We gather at our table and we are missing one.

I miss you: my heart aches.

There was not a day in your life that I did not love you

And you knew it and returned it.

You will not live the life everyone expected for you,

Everyone wanted for you because they knew

You were kind and gentle,

Smart and confident,

Loving and so handsome,

Passionate and driven.

You always worked so hard

And you played with such glee.

Tomorrow will never come for you

And going on feels near betrayal.

But you will not be forgotten.

I will never forget you.

The sweet innocence of your soul

Graced our lives for too little time.

A special life not finished.

-Love Papa