RIP Erin Leary, i hardly knew you, but i know those close to you, and you will be missed.

when tragedy strikes a friend
what is the appropriate response?
you do not know the victim
more than in passing
a chance meeting
a greeting
a smile

then when they are snatched
away from this land of the living
you realize
how important the background noise
the little details
make everything whole

and now it's just a hole

small for you
but so much bigger
so much stronger
sucking everything
everything
into noticing

background noise
never seemed
to say so much
until you cant hear
anymore.