To Ace--In Remembrance

For ten short, short years, seven months and
Two sad, sad days--you were loved so much,
And so much, much more--you loved back, as
Love--unflinching and abiding.

Now that you're gone, I'm mad at God for taking
You away from me. And right or wrong, I find myself
"Holding back on Him," because I feel and--believe
That the house I built for you--at home is
"Still the house you live in."

I remember...that for one-brief moment--on the very day
You came, I "held back my loving you" for a reason--
So selfish and silly.

I remember...that while looking
At you--sleeping soundly on your "cardboard bed"
In our bathroom, I cried like a lost child "trying
To find his way home," because of the guilt of that
"One-brief moment."

And I will not forget--ever...that
When I picked you up and cradled you in my arms,
All the pain of my having lost another
Love, like you--so long ago, as if by magic--went away...
Only to come back and take "the life in me forever."