Someone I knew died the day before.
Someone I knew Briefly, for a day, Died, Quietly, of age, at peace, The day before.
Someone I knew died the day before, While I drank and laughed and sang. He took in his last breath While I held mine underwater And learnt to swim for the first time.
Someone I knew for but a day, An year ago from today, Died in his sleep while I lay awake On a terrace, counting stars, Till a rooster crowed.
An year ago from today, He talked to me of a foreign land, Of exotic fruits, Of half-forgotten phrases; Of borders and tongues that yielded to his heart, And a war that heralded his return.
Someone I knew, and forgot about, Died the day before; A quiet blip in my universe.
He died, and so I remembered, A foreign land, a phrase, a war; Someone I knew died the day before, And, in death, Reminded me of life.