~ Written by Danielle N Bilski ~

Eleven. Twelve

Nobody quite asked,
how she felt inside,
and did anybody actually learn,
what he really thought about being alive?

Somewhere a clock ticks.
Eleven. Twelve.

Of course we can miss,
what has gone,
but sometimes we dismiss,
every sign of something being very wrong.

Everywhere November has become December again.
Eleven. Twelve.

Please know we do not blame you,
we promise it is not your fault,
if you have not been taught the language,
you are unlikely to alter the path another human is on.

Somewhere a child’s birthday is celebrated.
Eleven. Twelve.

We have all called ourselves,
by unspeakable names,
our only choice now,
is to invent a new game.

Someone has grown a foot taller.
Eleven. Twelve.

We have already counted,
millions of hours by eleven and twelve,
forget another year, before the end of this page,
we face our inner self.

We have all taken a step forward now.
Eleven. Twelve.

Although I know it is too late,
to extend their lifetimes,
may we honour every one of them by moments,
we grow through the rest of our own lives.

Be kind to yourself with every breath,
my friend.
Eleven. Twelve.

©2023 Danielle N Bilski