The Tear

When I was 16 I fell in love with a girl who broke my heart. I wrote a poem about it and published it in the school literary magazine. Stylistically it wasn't all that good, but it really pinned down the moment for me. After high school ended a friend of mine came up to me and recited parts back to me and told me he knew how I felt. It made me smile. The last time I saw him, he said the same thing to me again. He told me it had helped him get through a hard time. He had been in and out of rehab, but this time he was doing better. The girl had been long gone and I'm pretty sure no one else remembered it so it turned into something the two of us shared. Him and Me. It didn't matter who had written it. It was a feeling we shared. I thought that was special.

Last night I got a phone call. It was his cousin. She told me he had overdosed and was dead. He was 24 years old and now he's dead. My prayers go out to his family. Just because a life is short, doesn't mean it wasn't well lived. I hope his death was an accident and that he died partying instead of purposely. I hope I helped brighten his life because he brightened mine.

To everyone else, please think of those who are close to you and treat them well. When it comes down to it, they're what you have and make your life rich. Keep your light bright.