if it takes one more of us
who'll be left to tell our story
who'll be here to speak of our weaknesses
who'll exalt in our victories

its finality is so chillingly exact
there is no after, there is no next
there is only here and now and the nothingness that fills hallways and rooms
the coldness that occupies the small spaces that were once warm and so breathtakingly vibrant
the large words of grief and mourning that can't begin to fit into the chasming void that has been left bare and wanting

if it takes one more of us
who'll lead the charge and take us onward
who'll make our presence known
who'll plant our flags and announce that we are here...we were here

once again our ranks have faltered
we've shaken and stumbled and fallen
once again we've succumbed
it has stolen our breath and our resolve to just keep moving

...

but in this moment as the hollow devastation swallows us into the unspeakably unkind dawn of tomorrow
there will be the small breaths, and burgeoning warmth, and the frailest of hope
there will be heartbeats, and shy, trembled smiles,
there will be the tiniest promise of peace

we will be here
we will tell the story
our victories will all be exalted



~ for William 'Bill' Carteaux 10/29/59- 12/10/18

~ for Eldon, and Sonny, and Radix

F**K Cancer