GRIEF Poem: I See, by Carla Villarreal

I see
That basket.
The one filled with sympathy cards.
Just sitting there, overflowing, lifeless
While Christmas carols chirp merrily in the background.

I see
The death certificate.
Just black and white tiny print
With faded borders
Nothing special
Except
It was my mom.

With a start and end date
Like a play
Whose time had run its course.
An unworthy narrative
For a life so very valued.

Cardiorespiratory failure.

I have to search for
The time of death.
Even though I was there, and it was
Momentous.
How could I forget?

I have to use the camera on my
Phone
To even read the print.

Something so big.
Reduced.
To something so small.

Wait.
It is left blank.
Because
They didn’t even care.
Like I do.