For Julian

No longer warmed by the presence of you
grounding me, rounding me full of expectation,
abundant with dreams of how you would
make yourself known to the world,
my grief now protects me from the elements.

Friends offer silent prayers
for an end to this sadness,
secretly wishing they could erase
this chapter of our lives.

Forever changed, we are
more selfish, less trusting,
more vulnerable, less hopeful,
but more loving.

Our truth is that we are far better
for having known you.

You were here.