she passed
as gently as a breeze
through our lives.
she was kind
& smart
& beautiful.
her name
was ocean,
but she danced
as softly
as a cloud
across the sky.
when she
was young,
she worked
too hard & took
her future
too seriously––
but when she
graduated into life,
her heart expanded
before our eyes
& she seemed
to disappear.
she is with us
in the memory of her
searching brown eyes––
& resolute
black hair––
she is the love
that angels are––
that guides our hearts
among the stars.
we love her
& will see her smile
if only we love
gently enough––
& remember.