Michelle Smith

Unearthed bodies

beautiful minds
traveling souls
Route 66
of Chicago and Los Angeles
March and December births of 1966
It bites that I can't celebrate you both
the big C took you away
deferred because toxicology report
are still pending up to 180 days
Pisces and Sagittarius
Water and Fire
are the tears I cry fervently
blazing with my ire
It bites that we can no longer do

the things that we used to
and what a difference that would make
I'd celebrate you both with birthstone

jewelry for aquamarine and zircon are blue
His favorite color LA Dodger Blue
a bouquet of flowers, 

why can't a woman give them to a man,
you gifted me them on birthdays,
last Thanksgiving, or just because you can
M & M's melt in your mouth and 

not in your hand
one of your favorite chocolate sweets

and devil's food cake was hers
I'm happy to remember that
Thank God for you both
I'll see those treats sweet bites in 

a new way
Sailing in the next Ensenada cruise
or on Halloween
My ofrenda of El dia Los muertos
a new addition of these two would
Reality Bites for they are

the subjects of Frost's poem,
The Road Less Taken on Route 66
I don't know where it started from
it ends In California, where your lives did. 

Friendships of 

11 years and 34 years 

you both loved me and my son

we pray for you both
happy we Carnival Cruise Lined

to Ensenada

and once to Catalina round trip

heartful memories, 

resting on my shoulder,
as if warmth from the sun
Necked hickeys  on my neck
our bodies close and intertwine
bites of strawberries on the pillow 
Memories of you both are

now bite size pieces

seasons and photos 

myriads to describe.
Lord thank you for

these indelible souls of my life. 

Missing You Bites

Making the bed isn't fun anymore 
In our lives you have gone
September has no joy
Sunken places are a pillow crease
I hold it as if you were near
Nearly 35 years ago we met
God took you home under his care

You, my son, and I
Opening and closing of our lives
United we were sage, season, and strong

Beginning a new journey without you
Ignites an enivitable invite of lifetime 
Test, trial, tears, and triumph to
Embolden each day into night
Sunshine and sunset

God help us through this loss

the toughest of our lives yet