this upon hearing of the death of Fran Sorber

I have a preternatural curiosity

born of shared history had it not become so I would never know

of her passing years or daily trials or monthly blessings

but because of a gun

a choice is made

that can’t be unmade

I know again the time we shared

woman who have you been

that you leave the world behind

who am I that I am still here

how difficult or was it easy to pull the trigger and call it finished

and what did you determine that made it a final and complete

so

I am sad for your children

as we shared some years of their friendship

wondering really what it is like

so that I can know

when it’s my time to go

I have held a gun only in fascination

I would not choose it

I wonder where you found the will

to pull the trigger on a life so well lived

no way of knowing

what left behind is left behind