A Lost Letter

Dear loved one

I barely knew you,

But I know you now.

Death is funny in this way.

I remember your face,

I remember your house,

I remember your demeanor.

Now I know your stories,

Now I know what you were like,

Before the losses and pain,

Before the fighting and drinking,

Before the fall and regret.

I wish I knew you better.

I wish I was able to hear you,

Hear you tell your stories,

Hear you tell your great jokes,

Hear your husky voice.

I wish I could have seen you one last time.

On circumstances more pleasurable.

I want you to know that I know now as I did then,

You are and always will be a great man.

Sincerely, a loved one.