I’ll Remember Your Smile

To my friend Cory

I liked your quiet ways, your manner of speech,
the way you entered a room,
your big brown eyes, your gentle smile.

I liked the way your yellow hair,
touched your shoulders, your tranquil ways,
your graceful laughter, your clever humor.

You read every word I’ve ever written,
I can’t forget. I liked the way you pretended
to believe I’d cooked too much that night,

I knew you often went without, but you stood tall,
I never heard you cry. I liked the way you
loved your children, your home, your cats,

I liked the way you greeted me, always
with a luscious smile – your face so bright,
but your brown eyes told a different story,

I wish I’d read it carefully, I wish I’d asked,
I wish I’d done things differently, I didn’t know how.
I close my eyes now, and I can still see your smile.

Carmen Ruggero .2004

The above doesn't even pretend to be a poem. I penned my thoughts as they came to me. My friend, and co-worker Cory, and her little girl Jenna were both stabbed to death yesterday in their home during a robbery attempt. A suspect has been apprehended.