Absences

Floors

3 years ago I was familiar with the faces of death.

I still am, to an extent.

Today, passing by the floors

I hear a younger girl

Sobbing loudly.

She was standing outside the ICU

The despair and disbelief evident in her cries,

heartwrenching.

It was the kind of crying that made you lose your breath

The kind you do when your worst fears are confirmed—

when you are losing

or have lost

someone you can't live without.

I imagine

Maybe it was her father

Or mother

Or brother—

A person infinitely dear to her.

My heart hurts for this girl

Even if I have no idea who she is. She reminds of my own fears

And I realize

I don't want to be back on the floors anymore.