I got the news today

In a text message flurry

You’d passed away

On the table – heart surgery

I pictured your bright blonde hair

Your three children

I dated your second son in junior high – if that means anything

22 years ago

Remember back then, a childhood fling

Time flies, don’t you know

We all ate mac n’ cheese

Then you drove us to the movies

His birthday was two days before mine

His sister was one of the kindest people I’d ever met

His older brother was a surfer

I was gonna marry one of those two boys, I was sure

All of them so cool

And you were sweet

Blonde hair, blue eyes

I loved your family

Today they gathered round a metal gurney

In my mind I did too

I hope the floor is sturdy

I crumble thinking of the matriarch

Your kindness and blue eyes were a spark

I remember you