The room still smells of laughter,
though the bed lies empty.
The stuffed animals wait for him,
fairy tales remain open,
as if they were ready to continue
at any moment.
He was my brother,
small as a ray of sunlight,
fragile as the flame of a candle.
One day we ran laughing through the hallway,
the next, that hallway became
a tunnel of shadows.
I remember his voice calling me,
his barefoot steps at midnight,
the arguments over who would win first
in the simplest game in the world.
Now the hallways echo hollow,
and my name has lost its echo.
I ask Mom if he will return,
she hugs me but does not answer.
Dad looks at the floor,
as though words are too heavy to carry.
The walls of the house are listening,
but no one dares to speak the truth.
I hide among the toys,
I whisper softly to them,
I tell them not to worry,
that one day he will come back.
But I know I’m lying,
and my hands tremble as they touch
the little car that will never be his again.
Laughter left with him,
and I was left to learn far too soon
what it means to lose.
Now I only play with his memory,
and every victory hurts,
because there is no one left
willing to lose against me.
-
Author:
Lore (
Offline) - Published: September 25th, 2025 07:33
- Category: Sad
- Views: 6
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Tristan Robert Lange
Offline)
Comments3
Touching and tragic a poem that pulls at the heart as all good poems should. Poetry is feeling and this poem hurts. Nicely done a fave
Maine by Noah Kahan played as I read this. I doubt there is any coinciding of the lyrics with this piece, but I feel the rhythm of the tune played well with this. That there is more to be discovered than a passing, but a remnant of all the love we have for someone who's gone.
Lore, this is devastating in its quietness. The toys waiting, the whispered promises, the room still holding laughter…every image makes the absence ache deeper. It feels like standing inside memory itself, fragile and trembling but still alive. Beautifully written, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you very much
You are most welcome!
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