A Gentle Reminder (A Poem)
5:50 AM. My alarm rings, the day begins.
6:06 AM. I press the gas, the world spins.
6:24 AM. A blue jay catches my eye,
In the black lot, by my silver Elantra, it flies.
6:30 AM. Goggles on, I dive in deep,
The pool my home, where goals and waters leap.
7:30 AM. Chlorine drips as I wring my hair,
Beside me, T smiles, her workday rare.
7:35 AM. It’s Friday, freedom’s here,
A break from work, a chance to cheer.
I also have off from my nine-to-five,
Tonight, no coaching, just feeling alive.
This week was packed, no time to spare,
With work, CrossFit, and friends to share.
7:40 AM. Plans unfold on Moody Street,
With friends, laughter, and the night we’ll greet.
We’ll get ready at T's house, in Waltham we'll meet,
S and A, a night so sweet.
8:00 AM. A good morning text I send,
A flirty smile, my heart to lend.
Blushing as I toss the phone aside,
Butterflies in my stomach, hard to hide.
Hands on the wheel, I drive away,
Waving to H, starting my day.
8:20 AM. Green light, birds take flight,
8:21 AM. Brakes slam, a sudden fright.
Traffic fades, my heart races wild,
Apple Watch warns, I breathe, mild.
Ringing in my ears, my heart pounds,
I lift my hand, calm myself down.
A honk, a curse, from the man behind,
But I'm just glad the birds are fine.
8:22 AM. Memories of Tyler flood in,
Or am I just a bird magnet this morning?
That was bird number four, counting the group of three,
And the little blue jay that followed me.
8:30 AM. I turn onto my street,
8:31 AM. A red cardinal, a bittersweet meet.
A song plays, lyrics hit deep,
“The good ones die young,” and I start to weep.
8:32 AM. Sobs shake my core,
Tyler’s memory, a wound once sore.
A memory flashes, the days after he passed,
I went on my first run, grief held fast.
I saw a red cardinal, perched in a tree,
Flew to the next, like it was guiding me.
Cardinals, his sign, guiding my way,
Through grief’s storm, each and every day.
The bird ruffles its wings, steps with grace,
At least this one takes its time, no race.
8:33 AM. I park, thoughts in peace,
If he were here, our talks would never cease.
So much to share, life’s twists and turns,
His absence a gentle glow, no longer burns.
If he were here right now, I’d have so much to say,
How life has changed, in every way.
I’ve moved three times, going on four,
Changed jobs completely, so much more.
He was a coach, and I’m interviewing too,
For a coaching job, something new.
If he was alive, I’d text him today,
Knowing he’d smile, in his special way.
I’d tell him about someone I’ve met,
Someone special, my heart’s new bet.
He’d listen, smile, and offer advice,
About this new interest, my heart’s delight.
We’d sit by the lake, talk for hours,
Revel in memories, life’s blooming flowers.
8:43 AM. Tears have ceased,
Grief’s heavy hand has been released.
Months of drowning, waves so high,
Now floaties help, as time goes by.
Months ago, I thought grief would fade,
But it comes in waves, memories invade.
At first, they crashed, twelve-hour tides,
I barely ate, and in bed, I’d hide.
I drank wine at night, called friends in tears,
The pain was fresh, consumed by fears.
But slowly, calmer waves would come,
Smaller and smaller, grief’s strum.
After month four, I could swim a bit,
Floaties off, finding my grit.
Eleven months since he took his life,
Grief’s unpredictable, always rife.
8:51 AM. I open the door,
Life’s duties call, I welcome more.
8:52 AM. Tears dry, I stand tall,
Strength from sorrow, I heed its call.
To live, to love, with kindness and grace,
To honor his memory, in every space.
A gentle reminder of what was,
A pledge to live with endless love’s cause.
