Soft voices. Gentle expression. 
Grief fastened to each whisper, 
ever the sentiment.

This is not the first time.

Sympathy flows, reservoir of
emotion. Kindness embraced.

Soothing words 
the placebo effect, for nothing 
replaces what you know.

Nothing exists now 
to compare it to.

This is not the last time.

Ever the thought, ever 
the imperative. Before, of course, 
we had the time.

© 2018 j.g. lewis