A tribute to those taken too soon

It has been a while, and quite a bit has happened in my life and in the world since I last wrote something here. On a news note, there has been widespread devastation and loss here in the state of Victoria in Australia where I live from the most terrible of bushfires. The final toll is yet to be tallied and the mourning has only just begun.

On a personal note, I am in a much more reflective mood of late due to not only this, but realising that it is the anniversary of the death of my cousin Raine. At just 21, she lost her fight to cancer and passed away in February 2008.

I remember knowing that she was not doing well in the days beforehand, and one particular day I actually took a full hours lunch break (unusual for me as I often work through) and sat by the river, a strange melancholy mood on me.

It was the next day she passed away.

The past few weeks I've not been so great either, and yesterday I went for a walk and sat by the river again, and wrote a poem. I didn't plan to write it about my cousin, and I didn't even realise that it was the exact anniversary of her death either. What's more is that when I finished the poem, on the very last line the pen ran out. This was a brand new pen that I'd received recently (not a dodgy biro either). Kind of spooky or maybe just a coincidence.

So here it is; dedicated to my cousin Raine and all those that have been tragically taken from us.

Four is the number of seasons,
A full cycle has just passed,
And still I'm seeking the reasons,
Why you had to go so fast,

Your life cut short so young,
So many things still to be done,
Too many songs left unsung,

A dull ache in my heart,
Where I still am grieving,
So here I am turning to art,
To help myself cope with your leaving,

I've said my goodbye,
My precious memories remain,
To move on now I must try,
Some smiles I have to regain.