what death leaves behind

vi. DEATH

I have stopped asking her about last night's episode
and she has stopped talking entirely,
'Tell me what's going on,' I plead.
'Nothing.' she answers curtly.

oh my friend, if only that were true.
I could have helped you,
I could have saved you
from whatever it is
that's eating you up
and corroding
you like rusted iron
reduced to dust

She stopped answering to my texts,
and stopped calling.
Have I done something? I remember recalling.

'my... sister passed away.' she says tomorrow.
I whip around and look at her, astounded.
'she shot herself,' she elaborates. 'and now my parents blame me.'
'why?' I ask softly, my bled out for her.
'I don't know. they think I encouraged her.' she chokes up an pauses.
'how could I have? she was a part of me.
you don't just encourage yourself to
kill
y o u r s e l f.