The only words left

Too late for your birthday

I semi-remembered your June 28th

I knew it last week

But today (now yesterday) was fresh and naive

She only saw now and not then

I got the call early, from my partner in crime

From the one who knows too

He told me, both as if for the first time and

As if it were already stated aloud

I said I would call back, do something

But it all dissolved away

I only saw today, I lived it with no past

As if loss were lost long ago

The evening was special and alive, vivant

But my artwork tells the story

It was crumbling, melting, coming down in pieces

You were there slipping away

I am sorry I am too late for your birthday.

You would be 59 today (yesterday).

The 8th birthday not celebrated with you.

It is too late for your birthday.

Too late for goodbye, too late for I'm sorry.

But never too late to tell you I love you.

I love you.