Death of a Great Man

A tightness fills my chest

as if an emblem too big stretches

across it or like a thousand hands

are gripping at my heart with

childless abandon as my hands

once griped yours.

Now a cold darkness rushes

over and clings to me beneath

an empty grave and shoves me

forward to look into your still face.

You loved the world too much and

they couldn't handle it.

Love is kindness dressed up in

bright light that fades to those

who ignore it and blinds to those

who understand and give more.

Reaching out to you only meant pain

but loving you was worth the world.