Library of the Stars
An Ode
She’s with them now That’s all I can think
Stars and my friend, my dead friend I thought maybe there would be more time
Before I, age 40 had to say a friend from college Died, age 40
But time is this, this is time You never know when that last text will come in, be sent out
That last time of connection, hello, take care, what are you Doing, what are you reading, how are you
She’s obtained the knowledge of every book ever written or To be written now, she’s hobnobbing with our favorite authors
I know of no other tribute than poetry for a friend who Stayed up with me late nights, undergrad, reading poetry
I know of no other way to say goodbye The last text I sent I deleted our text chain thinking we could always
Start it up again, it’s gone, She’s gone
She would come to my dorm room Backpack full of books
She would come to my mailbox In a letter
She had a black cat and more books than even I - And she understood me, and I understood her,
Bright, brilliant, with a laugh that was contagious and smart Yes, laughs can be smart and warm, laughs can tell you
When the person is rare, I would love to Walk through a bookstore with you one more time, my friend
But you do not need any of this now, you have Freedom from pain, from all of this mess down here
We loved you, we miss you I am sorry, forgive me
My thoughts were never far from you, because I have always been Surrounded by the things we love, shelves and shelves of books
Knowledge and wisdom and growth and escape Things that I need all that I can get, down here, and things
That you gave to those lucky enough to know you I will pass this on, pass this on, and pass this on for you and for me, for us
Nerd friends rule, books and friends are the best combination The library of the stars is yours, dear Dana,
Your contribution to all of it is inimitable.
Jenny Justice, Poet. Sociologist. Teacher. Mother. Woman. Author of Love in the Time of Climate Change and Reveal. You can read more of her poetry at Justice Poetic. Sign up for her newsletter here.
