I Will Never See a Flower in Her Hair

No clashes over curfew

No arguing about mall trips

skirt length

too much makeup

too slick boys

No charged silences 

broken    only

by the ring of an incoming text

No sass no backtalk 

followed by a quick hug 

and a “see you later”

No shopping together 

for a prom dress 

or heels

No laughing 

at the salesgirl so hungry 

for a sale

No laughing

ever

Grief has no edges

No shelf life

No breath

They say it’s too soon to talk about it

Offer thoughts and prayers

Perhaps they will help me

choose 

a dress

for 

her 

coffin