GRIEF Poem: June 14th, 2025, by Rachael Normann

– In memory of Kylee Googe 2004-2024

It’s been a year since you passed away;
The facebook notification reminds me.
I drink vodka neat out of dirty crystal
glass that my mother got 20 years ago.

The fan swirls into my mind and then I see
your mother posting her usual videos, telling
everyone how she misses you and that she
loves her facebook family. I can barely watch.

I gulp the rest of the vodka. I wrap myself
In my pink and teal cover and hide. I throw
My phone across the room and start to sob.
I silent my sobs so my parents dont hear.

“Youre not dead” I repeat to myself. Your
bubblegum pink dress and my cyan dress
Is stained within my memories. I still have
our graduation picture on my wall. I miss us.

I’m sorry I didnt go to the funeral. I watched
from afar; my sadness and anger consumed
me. They layed you to rest in Georgia, I want
to see you now. I think I’m ready to talk to you.

I want to tell you that I loved our friendship. I miss
your laugh, your eyes and your weird sense of humor.
I get my phone and like your moms facebook post.
“Happy birthday Kylee, you would have been 21 today”.